Morpho-physiological traits and macro-elements content of pansy (Viola tricolor L.) affected by foliar application of bio-stimulants

Abstract

Pansy (Viola tricolor L.) is from the Violaceae family that is planted in the gardens as a ground cover for early spring color and medicinal herb. This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of bio-stimulant compounds on the growth traits and macro-elements content of pansy. This experiment was conducted on the basis of randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with nine treatments and three replications. The treatments included the commercial formulations of aminolforte, kadostim, fosnutren, humiforte (each of them at 2 and 4 L.ha-1), and control treatment. The effects of treatments were significant (p≤0.01) on all of the traits except for the plant height, collar diameter of stem and total dry weight. The greatest amount of the stem diameter (5.01 mm) and number of leaves (44 leaves.plant -1 ) in 2 L.ha -1 aminolforte treatment, calyx and flower diameter (7.25 and 48.22 mm) in the treated plants by 2 L.ha-1 fosnutren was obtained. The highest number of flowers (26 flowers.plant -1 ) in 2 L.ha -1 humiforte and total fresh weight (34.90 g.plant -1 ) in the treatment of 2 L.ha -1 kadostim was observed. The maximum amount of SPAD value (49.81 SPAD) with 2 L.ha -1 humiforte, nitrogen (3.44%) in the foliar application of 4 L.ha-1 aminolforte, phosphorous (0.28%) in 4 L.ha-1 fosnutren and potassium (4.38%) in 4 L.ha -1 humiforte was achieved. The least amount of all traits was recorded in control treatments. The growth traits and macro-elements content of pansy plants increased due to foliar application of bio-stimulants compounds.