EFFECT OF PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA AND CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS ON GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF CHRYSANTHEMUM (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev)
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Date
2015
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ABSTRACT
Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) belongs to family Asteraceae and is a popular flower crop suitable for both pot culture and bedding purposes. The quality of flowers is greatly influenced by the quantity as well as sources of nutrients. Presently, these nutrients are supplied through chemical fertilizers. The escalating prices of chemical fertilizers and their indiscriminate use has not only adversely affects the soil health and environment but also reduces the productivity of crops. The situation emphasized the need for developing alternate production system that is eco-friendly and is more judicious in maintaining soil health. So, the present investigations were carried out to characterize and evaluate the effects of PGPR isolated from rhizosphere and roots of chrysanthemum. Out of 49 purified isolates, eight isolates viz. SN1, SN2, SN11, SJ6, SJ8, RJ1, SR1, SR5 along with two reference isolates (KS5 and KS6) were selected on the basis of their efficacy to have maximum plant growth promoting traits like Psolubilization, growth on nitrogen free medium, siderophore, auxin, HCN production and antagonism against Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum under laboratory conditions. On the basis of morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics, these isolates were identified as Bacillus spp. The optimum pH and temperature for the growth of the isolates was 7.0 and 35oC, respectively. A field trial was conducted on two varieties of chrysanthemum viz ‘Ajay’ and ‘Purnima’ by taking different levels of NP fertilizers along with two efficient isolates (KS5 and KS6). The application of consortium (KS5 and KS6) registered maximum increase in all plant parameters i.e. plant height (cm), number of side shoots per plant, days taken to flowering, number of flowers per plant, flower size (cm) and duration of flowering (days). The inoculation of PGPR has also registered an increase of 55.2 and 53.2 per cent available N, 57.2 and 54.7 per cent available P and 20.3 and 16.3 per cent available K content in cv. ‘Ajay’ and ‘Purnima’, respectively. Thus, the consortium of KS5 and KS6 has good prospects to act as biofertilizer, biostimulant and bioprotectant for chrysanthemum.