In this paper, we propose a conjectural multiplicity formula for general spherical varieties. For all the cases where a multiplicity formula has been proved, including Whittaker model, Gan-Gross-Prasad model, Ginzburg-Rallis model, Galois model and Shalika model, we show that the multiplicity formula in our conjecture matches the multiplicity formula that has been proved. We also give a proof of this multiplicity formula in two new cases.

By applying the residue method for period integrals and Langlands-Shahidi’s theory for residues of Eisenstein series, we study the period integrals for six spherical varieties. For each spherical variety, we prove a relation between the period integrals and certain automorphic L-functions. In some cases, we also study the local multiplicity of the spherical varieties.

We calculate a G_2-period of a Fourier coefficient of a cuspidal Eisenstein series on the split simply-connected group E_6, and relate this period to the Ginzburg-Rallis period of cusp forms on GL_6. This gives us a relation between the Ginzburg-Rallis period and the central value of the exterior cube L-function of GL_6.

Following the method developed by Waldspurger and Beuzart-Plessis in their proofs of the local Gan-Gross-Prasad conjecture, we are able to prove the geometric side of a local relative trace formula for the Ginzburg-Rallis model. Then by applying such formula, we prove a multiplicity formula of the GinzburgRallis model for the supercuspidal representations. Using that multiplicity formula, we prove the multiplicity one theorem for the Ginzburg-Rallis model over Vogan packets in the supercuspidal case.

Following the method developed by Waldspurger and Beuzart-Plessis in their proof of the local Gan-Gross-Prasad conjecture, we prove a local trace formula for the Ginzburg-Rallis model. By applying this trace formula, we prove the multiplicity one theorem for the Ginzburg-Rallis model over the tempered Vogan L-packets. In some cases, we also prove the epsilon dichotomy conjecture which gives a relation between the multiplicity and the exterior cube epsilon factor. This is a sequel work of [Wan15] in which we proved the geometric side of the trace formula.