Effects of Different PGPR Formulations, Chemical Fertilizers and Their Combinations on Some Plant Growth Characteristics of Poinsettia

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine effects of different PGPR formulations, chemical fertilizers and their combinations on some plant growth characteristics of poinsettia under climate-controlled research greenhouse between July 2015 and July 2017. In the study, rooted cuttings of poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch cv. Christmas Feelings) were used as plant material. The applications were created as formulation 1, formulation 2, formulation 3, formulation 4, the full amount of commonly used chemical fertilizer (100% CF), by combining the reduced amount of chemical fertilizer by 50% with each bacterial formulation and control. Plant height, main stem diameter, number of bract, length and diameter of root, fresh and dry weight of plant were evaluated in the experiment. According to CF and control applications, BIV+CF application was increased in the number of bract leaves between 14.76% and 29.32%; and it was also increased in plant height between 2.87% and 5.27%, respectively. The highest plant fresh weight (16.93 g) was obtained from BII and CF applications. The highest average fresh (4.69 g) and dry (1.57 g) plant weight were determined in BII application. It has been determined that bacterial formulations BIV+CF, BIII+CF, BIV and BII, which have positive effects on some plant growth and quality characteristics of poinsettia, can be used in poinsettia production stage. Thus, bacterial formulations may allow reducing the using chemical fertilizer in its cultivation.