Influence of Biostimulants on Important Traits ofZinnia elegansJacq. under Open Field Conditions

Ishan Saini,Prashant Kaushik,Ashok Aggarwal

doi:10.1155/2019/3082967

Abstract

The efficacy of microbial treatment on growth, yield, and nutrient uptake is very well acknowledged for field crops. However, the use of microbes forZinnia eleganshas rarely been exploited under field trials. Therefore, in this study, we have evaluated the efficacy of different microbial bioinoculants on sixteen morphological and nine biochemical traits ofZ.elegans. We used two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Glomus mosseae(G) andAcaulospora laevis(A)) along withTrichoderma viride(T) andPseudomonas florescence(P) as five different treatments under open field conditions, in a randomized complete block design. There were significant differences for all of the traits studied. Treatment 5 (G + A + T + P) was noted as the best treatment for the improvement of morphological characters, whereas Treatment 4 (G + A + P) was most significant for the biochemical trait improvement inZ. elegans. Overall, this study provides useful insight into the bioinoculant treatment that can be applied to improve the yield and flower quality ofZ.elegansunder open field conditions.

Highlights

Zinnia elegans Jacq., a member of family Asteraceae, is an important summer garden flower with diverse shade of colours [1]
arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is the obligate association of plant roots with beneficial fungi, and it is well recognized that vascularophytes get up to 86% of their nutrients and water requirements via mycorrhization, whereas their host plant supports fungal partner in its carbon requirement [9, 10]. is mycorrhizal association along with different kinds of soil microbiota like Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens acts as biostimulants, in order to significantly improve the uptake of even less mobile elements like phosphorous [11, 12]
A pot experiment was performed in polyhouse condition and five treatments were identified promising, i.e., Glomus mosseae + Acaulospora laevis (Treatment 1), G. mosseae + Trichoderma viride (Treatment 2), G. mosseae + A. laevis + T. viride (Treatment 3), G. mosseae + A. laevis + Pseudomonas florescence (Treatment 4), and G. mosseae + A. laevis + T. viride + P. florescence (Treatment 5)

Summary

Introduction

Zinnia elegans Jacq., a member of family Asteraceae, is an important summer garden flower with diverse shade of colours [1]. Z. elegans can tolerate harsh environmental conditions, and its production on marginal lands during harsh summer is preferred under north Indian conditions [4]. In order to get above average production, the use of heavy dosages of chemical fertilizers is not uncommon. Chemical fertilizers alter the soil nutrient profile and could result in water and air pollution [5]. There is a need to identify sustainable and eco-friendly practices for higher production, and the use of microbial inoculants is one of the commonly used sustainable approaches [6]

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