The utilization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and phosphorus fertilizer can improve growth and physiological characteristics in plants. This study evaluated the effects of AMF and phosphorus levels on morpho-physiological characteristics of Quinoa and Maize under intercropping systems. The experiments were conducted at two locations, with three levels of phosphorus fertilizer 0 (P1), 50 kg ha−1 (P2), and 100 kg ha−1 (P3), and AMF at two levels inoculation M (+) and non-inoculation M (-). The results showed that the highest amounts of chlorophyll a (2.205/4.74 mg g−1 FW), chlorophyll b (0.75/2.88 mg g−1 FW), total chlorophyll (3.5/8.28 mg g−1), were achieved in a 50:50 intercropping ratio of Maize and Quinoa, under M (+) and P2 application. The results showed that the highest seed yield of Quinoa (2542 kg ha−1) was obtained under mycorrhizal and 50 kg ha−1 phosphorus application in the Shahrood location. Additionally, the highest total dry weight (TDW) in Maize (418.85 g m−2) was achieved with M (+), while the highest TDW of Quinoa (295.65 g m−2) was obtained in solo culture. The highest leaf area index (LAI) of Maize was obtained for sole culture, use of phosphorus 50 kg ha—1, and M (+). The highest Quinoa LAI was obtained in different cropping ratios, with the highest value of 8.52 in 50% Quinoa. The net assimilation rate in Quinoa reached the maximum (7.2 g m−2 day−1) at 45 days after sowing, while in Maize, the maximum of NAR (10.2 g m−2 day−1) was reached at 75 days after sowing. The mean comparison of traits revealed that the highest Quinoa colonization (46.29%) was achieved with a 25% Quinoa and 75% Maize cropping ratio, and a phosphorus concentration of 50 kg ha−1, using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). These findings suggest that AMF application in an intercropping ratio of 50:50 may be proposed to farmers as an eco-friendly approach to achieve desirable physiological characteristics.
Rostami et al. (Thu,) studied this question.