Effect of superphosphate, urea and bioinoculants on Zinnia elegans Jacq.

Abstract

Current agricultural practices depend heavily on chemical inputs, and their overuse seriously contaminates the soil health. Microbial bioinoculants are emerging as an effective greener replacement for chemical fertilizers. These bioinoculants are beneficial for plant growth and also diminishes pathogenicity. Here, we explored three microbial inoculants along with commonly used fertilizers, i.e., Superphosphate (S_P) and Urea (U_R) for their effectiveness on <em>Zinnia elegans</em> Jacq., that has considerable demand in the floral market. The experiment was conducted in three parts with recommended doses of fertilizers, low (half) doses, and high (double) doses in combination with <em>Glomus mosseae</em> (G_M), <em>Acaulospora laevis</em> (A_L) and <em>Pseudomonas fluorescens</em> (P_F), as microbial inoculants. The consortium of microbial inoculants (G_M+A_L+P_F) fed with the low dose of S_P and U_R gave the best results for growth parameters (Shoot and Root Length, Shoot and Root Weight), Floral traits (floral head number and diameter), mycorrhization pattern and for other physiological attributes (shoot phosphorus content, root phosphorus content, acidic phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase). Overall, the study establishes that microbial bioinoculants is a potential fertilizer supplement at the recommended dose supports optimum <br /> <em>Z. elegans</em> growth.