Effect of bio-agents and planting methods on plant growth and yield characteristics of saffron (Crocus sativus L.)
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Date
2007-06
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
The present study was conducted during October, 2005 to June 2007 at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Hill Campus, Ranichauri, Tehri Garhwal, Research Sub-Station, Kanatal, Uttarakhand. The two planting methods i.e. flat and ridge bed with bio-agents viz. Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Trichoderma harzianum +Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bavistin, used through different methods of application i.e. corm dipping, vermicompost and combination of corm dipping + vermicompost were tested for their effects on various attributes of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in a factorial design with 3 replications.
The investigation indicated that plant stand per plot and survival percentage were 80.33 plants and 89.25%, respectively, in treatment combination P1T4M2 (flat bed + application of Bavistin through vermicompost) followed by 80.00 plants and 88.88% plant stand per plot and survival percentage, respectively, for treatment combination P1T2M1 (flat bed + corm dipping in Pseudomonas fluorescens).
The vegetative characters of saffron plant as the corm weight, corm diameter and number of cormel formation resulted in highest values of 19.50 g, 4.93 cm and 6.67 cormel, respectively, for treatment combination P1T2M2 (flat bed + application of Pseudomonas fluorescens through vermicompost), followed by application of Trichoderma harzianum in vermicompost. The minimum values were obtained for treatment combination having both the bioagents.
The application of Pseudomonas fluorescens through corm dipping in well drained flat beds resulted in higher nitrogen percentage in saffron leaves (3.84%) and then applied through vermicompost also it resulted in highest fresh weight of flower (182.00 mg) with minimum percentage of nitrogen (2.28%) in treatment (P2T1M2) (Ridge bed having Trichoderma harzianum mixed through vermicompost), while the lowest fresh weight of flower of 68.33 mg was observed in P2T2M2 (Ridge bed + application of Pseudomonas fluorescens through vermicompost).
The well maintain Ridge beds when planted with corms dipped in Trichoderma harzianum + Pseudomonas fluorescens resulted in the development of characters in saffron flower that are required for commercial grade as longest stigma + style length of 2.31 cm was obtained along with maximum fresh and dry weight of stigma + style of 32.83 mg and 5.13 mg, respectively, for same bioagent combination. This was followed by the use of Psaeudomonas fluorescens through corm dipping when used in well drained flat beds.
In view of commercially superior grade saffron production, application of Trichoderma harzianum + Pseudomonas fluorescens by corm dipping in well prepared ridge beds is recommended for humid temperate mid hill conditions of Uttarakhand.
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