Abstract
Slow seed germination and seedling growth cause the slow field establishment of kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). Previous research showed that plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) can enhance plant growth and stress tolerance. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of six commercial PGPM products on promoting kentucky bluegrass establishment in the field. Two kentucky bluegrass cultivars Kenblue (stress-sensitive) and Moonlight (stress-tolerant) were seeded at 3 lb pure live seed/1000 ft2 in Jul 2020 and 2021. Six PGPMs, Beauveria bassiana (strain GHA), Bacillus subtilis (strain GB03), Azadirachtin, Bacillus firmus (strain1-582), Trichoderma harizanum Rifai (strain T-22) combined with T. virens (strain G-41), and Bacillus subtilis (strain QST713), were applied in the field at seeding and every 10 days thereafter. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and leaf area index (LAI) were measured at 30, 60, and 90 days after seeding. The results showed that all six PGPMs had a similar or higher NDVI and LAI compared to those of the control (i.e., tap water), with the best results seen in B. bassiana (strain GHA) [colony-forming unit (cfu)/acre = 4.8 × 1013], T. harzianum Rifai (strain T-22) (3.4 × 109 cfu/acre) + T. virens (strain G-41) (7.2 × 108 cfu/acre), and B. subtilis (strain GB03) (1.1 × 1011 cfu/acre). The efficacy of PGPMs may be enhanced when stress-tolerant plants are used and/or under cool summer conditions. Our results suggest that PGPMs have the potential to accelerate kentucky bluegrass establishment in the field.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call