EFFECT OF BIOFERTILIZER AND ZINC ON GLADIOLUS (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) THESIS SUBMITTED TO. Doctor of Philosophy. (Year : 2014)

Transcription

1 EFFECT OF BIOFERTILIZER AND ZINC ON GLADIOLUS (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) THESIS SUBMITTED TO For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Under the Faculty of Botany Jiwaji University, Gwalior (M.P.) (Year : 2014) Supervised By: Dr. R. K. Khare Professor, Botany SMS Govt. Model Science College Gwalior (M.P.) Scholar: Uday Beer Sharma M.Sc. (Ag.) Horticulture Research Centre SMS Govt. Model Science College, Gwalior Department of Botany Jiwaji University, Gwalior (M.P.)

2 CERTIFICATE OF THE SUPERVISOR (Para 12-C) CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the work entitled Effect of bio fertilizers and zinc on gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) is a piece of research work done by Uday Beer Sharma under my guidance and supervision for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. That the candidate has put in attendance of more than 200 days with me. To best of my knowledge and belief the thesis: 1. Embodies the work of the candidate himself. 2. Rules and regulations mentioned in the ordinance by the Jiwaji University have been duly followed. 3. Has duly been completed in 200 days. 4. Is up to the standard both in respect of contents and language for being referred to the examiner. ( Dr. R. K. Khare) supervisor Forwarded Signature of Principal 2

3 DECLARATION BY THE CANDIDATE (Para 12-B) DECLARATION I hereby declare that to best of my knowledge and belief the research project entitled Effect of biofertilizers and zinc on gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.), under the guidance of Dr. R. K. Khare, Professor, being submitted to the department of Botany, SMS Govt. Model science college, Gwalior (M.P.), embodies my own work, which is an original piece of research work done by me and to the best of my knowledge and belief is not substantially the same as one which has already been submitted for any other academic qualification of any other University or Examination body in India. Signature of the supervisor Signature of the candidate Dr. R. K. Khare ( Professor) Uday Beer Sharma Forwarded Signature of Principal 3

4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS No work can be done alone, but is always supported by a group of persons in various capacities. Many have left me indebted in the preparations and presentation of this exercise of mine which has been made such richer in knowledge and experience. I am proud enough to express my profound respect and deepest admiration to my guide, Dr. R. K. Khare, Professor Department of Botany, SMS Govt. Model science college, Gwalior (M. P.) for this knowledge, his suggestions, valuable guidance and constant help throughout the research study, his critical comments, discussions and ideas have been instrumental in successful execution of the investigation. I am very much thankful for the suggestive encouragement provided by him. I am under deep obligation to Dr. (Mrs.) Sangeeta Sukla, Hon. Vice Chancellor, Dr. Rajiv M. Agarwal, HOD (Botany) and Dr. (Mrs.) Rekha Bhadouria, Professor (Botany), Jiwaji University, Gwalior, for prvoiding necessary facilities and guidance in completing the present investigation. I cordially thankful Dr. D. R. Pawaiya (Principal), Dr. S. H. Querashi, Professor and head (Botany), SMS Govt. Model science college, Gwalior (M.P.) for their valuable suggestions during the course of research. I am also indebted to Dr. K. N. Nagaich, Professor and head (Horticulture), Naresh Gupta (Prog. Assit. Soil Science) College of Agriculture, R.V.S.K.V.V, Gwalior and Dr. Gaurav Sharma (Assit. Prof.- Horticulture, I. G. K. V. V. Raipur, (C. G.), for critical discussions, suggestions and providing necessary facilities during the entire course of investigation. No words will be sufficient to express my gratitude to my mother and father, for their blessings and continuous moral support. (Uday Beer Sharma) 4

5 LIST OF CONTENTS Chapter No. Title Page No. I INTRODUCTION 1-9 II REVIEW OF LITERATURE III MATERIALS AND METHODS IV RESULTS V DISCUSSION VI SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION SUGGESTION 162 BIBLIOGRAPHY APPENDIX I-XIV i-xiii 5

6 List of Tables Table No. Title Page No. 3.1 Weekly meteorological data during crop growth period in Weekly meteorological data during crop growth period in Mechanical composition of the soil (0-30cm) Chemical analysis of experimental soil Experimental details of field Treatments and their symbols Skeleton of analysis of variance Days taken to 75% sprouting of gladiolus corms as influenced by 61 bio fertilizer, zinc and NP levels Plant heights of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and 63 NP levels at 30 DAP Plant height of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP 65 levels at 60 DAS Plant height of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP 67 levels at 90 DAS Number of leaves of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc 69 and NP levels at 30 DAP Number of leaves of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc 71 and NP levels at 60 DAP Number of leaves of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc 73 and NP levels at 90 DA 4.4 Days to emergence of spike in gladiolus as influenced by bio 75 fertilizer, zinc and NP levels 4.5 Number of spike per square meter as influenced by bio fertilizer, 77 zinc and NP levels 4.6 Spike length (cm) of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP level 79 6

7 Table No. Title Page No. 4.7 Weight of spike (g) of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizers, zinc 81 and NP levels 4.8 Days taken to flowering (days for opening of first floret) influenced 84 by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP level 4.9 Number of florets per spike of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP levels Length of florets (cm) influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP levels Diameter of florets influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP levels Flowering durations as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP 92 levels 4.13 Number of florets opened at a time (125 DAP) as influenced by bio 94 fertilizer, zinc and NP levels 4.14 Fresh weight of floret as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP level Dry weight of floret as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP level Yield of spike/ha as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP levels Vase life of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP 103 levels 4.18 Nitrogen content (%) in gladiolus leaves as influenced by bio 105 fertilizer, zinc and NP levels 4.19 Phosphorus content (%) in gladiolus leaves as influenced by bio 106 fertilizer, zinc and NP levels 4.20 Potassium content (%) in gladiolus leaves as influenced by bio 107 fertilizer, zinc and NP levels 4.21 Zinc content (ppm) in gladiolus leaves as influenced by bio 108 fertilizer, zinc and NP levels 4.22 Number of corms/plant in gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer 111 and various zinc and NP levels 4.23 Number of corms/ha in gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP levels 113 7

8 Table No. Title Page No Corms weight (g) of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer and 116 various zinc and NP levels 4.25 Corms diameter (cm) of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer 118 and various zinc and NP levels 4.26 Economics of various treatments (on the basis of mean data of 120 two year experimentation) 4.27 Interaction effect of bio fertilizer and NP levels on number of spike 122 per square meter 4.28 Interaction effect of bio fertilizer and NP levels on weight of spike Interaction effect of bio fertilizer and NP levels on number of florets 124 per spike 4.30 Interaction effect of bio fertilizer and NP levels on diameter of 125 florets 4.31 Interaction effect of bio fertilizer and NP levels on flowering 126 durations 4.32 Interaction effect of NP and bio fertilizers levels on number of corm 127 /plant 4.33 Interaction effect of NP and bio fertilizers levels on corm weight Interaction effect of zinc and NP levels on weight of spike Interaction effect of NP and zinc levels on number of florets per 130 spike 4.36 Interaction effect of NP and zinc levels on flowering duration Interaction effect of NP and zinc levels on number of florets 132 opened at 125 DAP 4.38 Interaction effect of NP and zinc levels on vase life of flower (Mean 133 of two year) 4.39 Interaction effect of NP and zinc levels on corms diameter (Mean of two year) 134 8

9 List of Figures Fig. No. Title After Page 3.1 Weekly meteorological data during crop growth period Layout of experimental field Days taken to 75% sprouting of gladiolus corms as influenced by 61 bio fertilizer, zinc and NP levels 4.2 Plant heights of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and 67 NP levels 4.3 Number of leaves of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc 73 and NP levels 4.4 Days to emergence of spike in gladiolus as influenced by bio 75 fertilizer, zinc and NP levels 4.5 Number of spike per square meter as influenced by bio fertilizer, 77 zinc and NP levels 4.6 Spike length (cm) of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc 79 and NP level 4.7 Weight of spike (g) of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizers, zinc 81 and NP levels 4.8 Days taken to flowering (days for opening of first floret) influenced 84 by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP level 4.9 Number of florets per spike of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP levels Length of florets (cm) influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP levels Diameter of florets influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP levels Flowering durations as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP levels 4.13 Number of florets opened at a time (125 DAP) as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP levels 4.14 Fresh weight of floret as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP level

10 Fig. No. Title After Page 4.15 Dry weight of floret as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP level Yield of spike/ha as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP levels Vase life of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP levels 4.18 Number of corms/ha in gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer, zinc and NP levels 4.19 Corms weight (g) of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer and various zinc and NP levels 4.20 Corms diameter (cm) of gladiolus as influenced by bio fertilizer and various zinc and NP levels 4.21 B: C ratio under different treatment of bio fertilizer, zinc and NP levels

11 List of Plates S. No. Title After Page 1 General view of experimental site 44 2 Taking observations on leaves 73 3 Taking observations on florets 90 4 General view of spike under best treatment combination

12 Abbreviations and Acronyms Abbreviations/ Acronyms Mining Ag. Agriculture & And et al. And co-workers Azto Azotobacter BF Bio fertilizer dsm-1 Deci Siemens per meter o C Dist. DAP EC Fig. FYM g Degree centigrade District Days after planting Electrical conductivity Figure Farm yard manure Gram > Greater than J. Journal ha Hectare Hort Horticulture IAA Indole Acetic Acid ICAR Indian Council of Agricultural Research kg Kilogram kg ha -1 Kilogram per hectare < Less than m Meter mg kg -1 Milli gram per kilogram min Minimum 12

13 Abbreviations/ Acronyms Mining mm Milli meter ' Minutes viz Namely No. Number OC Organic carbon ppm Parts per million % Per cent K Potassium P Phosphorus PSB Phosphorus Solubilizing bacteria RH Relative humidity ph Soil reaction Temp. Temperature t ha -1 Tonnes per hectare Zn zinc 13

14 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus), generally called Glad, a member of family Iridaceae and sub-family Ixiodeae, originated from South Africa, is a prominent bulbous cut flower plant. It is also known as the Sword Lily, due to its sword shaped leaves, or Corn Lily. Being an important bulbous ornamental plant, it occupies a prime position among commercial flower crops which has high demand in both domestic and international markets. It occupies eighth position in the world s cut flower trade and has a global history (Ahmad et al., 2008). The major gladiolus producing countries are the United States (Florida and California), Holland, Italy, France, Poland, Bulgaria, Brazil, India, Australia and Israel. The fascinating spike bears a large number of florets with varying sizes and forms with smooth ruffle of deeply crinkled sepals. Presently, in India the area under bulbous crop is about 3500 ha of which gladiolus occupies about more than 1200 ha. The main gladiolus growing places are suited to the north Indian plains. It is grown in the plains as well as hills up to elevation of 2400 m from mean sea levels (Singh et al., 2012). Gladiolus also known as Queen of the bulbous flowers is one of the important ornamental flowering crops of the world. It is a popular cut flower owing to its versatile colours and varieties having larger keeping quality of flower. It has great economic value for cut flower trade and much valued by the aesthetic world for beauty and loving people because its prettiness and unparallel elegance 14

15 (Sadhu and Bose, 1973). They are widely used as artistic garlands, floral ornaments, bouquets etc. The long flower spikes are excellent as cut flower for table decoration when arranged in vases. Gladioli contribute the most important item for aesthetic, economic and social appeal. Florets open sequentially from the base of the rachis and extension of longevity of these florets helps in maintaining the economic value of these flowers for a longer time. The number of days a flower remains fresh in acceptable condition is the criterion for describing the keeping quality of flowers. Flower crops are very much responsive to fertilizer. It is highly capable of exhausting huge nutrients from native soil. So, it require higher amount of chemical fertilizer in balance proporation for ensuring maximum flower production. Fertilizer requirements of gladiolus like other crops, has vital role in growth, quality, corn and cormel production. There are some reports on the requirement of Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and other fertilization in many countries. Major nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium along with zinc noticeably increase the number of flowers, florets/spike, length of spike and flowering stem of gladiolus (Afify, 1989). The ability of the Plants to produce more yield is dependent on the availability of adequate plant nutrients, because cultivation of high yielding varieties of crop coupled with intensive cropping systems has depleted the soil fertility, resulting in multi-nutrient deficiencies in soil-plant system. Under such situation, use of only one or two primary nutrients will not be sufficient for 15

16 maintaining the long term sustainability of crop production. Moreover, use of balanced fertilization is a key component of the crop production technology. Nitrogen being an essential constituent of protein, is a vitally important plant nutrient. The soils of Gwalior regions are inherently poor in nitrogen and crops grown on them show deficiency symptoms in almost all the fields, where it is not applied. An adequate supply of nitrogen is generally associated with vigrous vegetative growth of plants and deep green colour of leaves. Phosphorus application increases the root growth and thus, it helps in absorption of different plant nutrients. It is concerned, with the formation of meristmatic tissue and plays a fundamental role in number of enzymatic reactions. It is an essential component of DNA, RNA, which is needed for protein synthesis. It also plays a major role in energy transfer system (ADP, ATP). Obviously, phosphorus is essential for numerous metabolic processes. Phosphorous (P) is one of the major essential macro nutrients limiting plant growth, owing to its low bio-availability in soils (Gyaneshwar et al. 2002; Feng et al. 2004). In soil, both macro and micro nutrients undergo a complex dynamic equilibrium of solubilization and in solubilization, that is greatly influenced by the soil ph and micro flora affecting their accessibility to plant roots for absorption. The dwindling nature of P availability is observed both in acid and alkaline soils. In acid soils, it is bound with Fe and Al or their oxides, whereas in alkaline soil it is bound with Ca. Fertilizer P tends to be fixed soon after application and becomes mostly unavailable, resulting in low recovery by crops and a considerable P accumulation in soils. 16

17 Microorganisms able to solubilize and mineralize P pools in soils are considered to be vital. Bacteria are among the predominant micro organisms that solubilize mineral P in soils, and most of them live in the plant rhizosphere (Barea et al. 2005). Phosphorous Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) inoculants play an important role in making phosphorus available to crops. The plant utilizes only percent nutrition given through phosphorus and rest is converted in insoluble form. PSB convert unavailable P to available form in plant roots. PSB also increases the capacity of available P in rock phosphate (Gaur and Gaind, 1990). The growing imbalance of nutrients in soils is posing a threat to sustain soil health and productivity. Inorganic fertilizers are very costly and their agronomic efficiency is poor under field conditions. Bio-fertilizers are potential sources of plant nutrients. It is a substance which contains living microorganisms which, when applied to seed, plant surfaces, or soil, colonizes the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promote growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. Bio-fertilizers add nutrients through the natural processes of nitrogen fixation, solubilizing phosphorus and stimulating plant growth through the synthesis of growth promoting substances. The microorganisms in biofertilizers restore the soils natural nutrient cycle and build soil organic matter. Through the use of biofertilizers, healthy plants can be grown while enhancing the sustainability and the health of soil. Since they play several roles, a preferred scientific term for such beneficial bacteria is plant 17

18 growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Therefore, they are extremely advantageous in enriching the soil fertility and fulfilling the plant nutrient requirements by supplying the organic nutrients through microorganisms and their by product. Hence, it does not contain any chemicals which are harmful to the living soil. They are eco friendly organic agro input and more cost effective than chemical fertilizers. Certain strains of bio-fertilizers which are being commercially used in horticultural crops are; Azotobacter, Azospirillum, phosphate solubilizing bacteria and VAM fungi. As reported in numerous studies, Azospirillum and Azotobacter are well known symbiotic N-fixing bacteria which help the plants indirectly through better nitrogen (N) fixation or improving the nutrient availability in the soil. They have the ability to fix kg N ha 1 and increase crop yield by (Kennedy et al, 2004), while, Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) are used to increase the availability of phosphorus in soil. Application of 120:65:62.5 kg NPK per ha -1 + phosphor bacteria + Azospirillum showed better results in vegetative and reproductive growth in gladiolus (Srivastava, and Govil, 2005). Bio-fertilizers are microbial culture, which make availability of certain plant nutrients to crops by various actions. Rhizobium, Azotobacter and Azospirillum fixes atmospheric nitrogen while certain bacteria/ fungal culture viz; Bacillus polymyxa/, Aspergillus awamori helps in phosphate solublization of both native and applied sparingly soluble phosphate. Looking to the rising price of chemical fertilizers, microbial 18

19 cultures can provide an eco-friendly viable support to small and marginal farmers by partly replacing inorganic fertilizers use in crop production. Some biofertilizer (Azotobacter spp.) stimulate production of growth promoting substance like vitamin-b complex, Indole acetic acid (IAA) and Gibberellic acids etc. phosphorus mobilizing or phosphorus solubilizing biofertilizers/ microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, mycorrhiza etc.) converts insoluble soil phosphate into soluble forms by secreting several organic acids and under optimum conditions they can solubilize/ mobilize about kg P 2 O 5 /ha due to which crop yield may increase by 10-20%. There are reports of reduction in yield even due to constant use of NPK fertilizers. The reduction in the yield is generally traced due to deficiency of micronutrients. The micronutrient deficiencies which were sparse and sporadic initially are now widespread. According to Rattan et al. (2009) more than 2.5 lakh soil samples were analyzed under all India coordinated research project on micronutrient from 20 state of the country and found that the 49% of the samples were deficient in zinc. In Madhya Pradesh, deficiency of zinc was observed in about 58% soil samples. The micronutrients play crucial and vital role in gladiolus production as well as major nutrients in growth and development. To determinate the commercial value on corm production parameters, the micronutrient contributes most important role on various metabolism and synthesis processes in plants. The deficiencies of micronutrients create different abnormalities like chlorosis, rosetting and scorching etc. (Singh, et al., 2012). It is required in small amount, 19

20 Zn is essential for carbon dioxide evolution, utilization of carbohydrate, phosphorus metabolism and synthesis of RNA. Zinc functions in the plants largely as a metal activator of several enzymes, an algae, yeast, aldolage, oxaloacetic-decarboxylase, lecithinase, cystieine, disulphydrase, histidine deaminase, carbonic anhydrase, dihydropeptidase and glycylglycine diperpidase. Zinc plays an essential role in plant physiology where it activates some of the enzymes related to metabolism of carbohydrates, auxins, RNA and ribosome functions. The beneficial effect of zinc on several ornamental plants were studied, Farahat et al. (2007) on Cupressus sempervirens L., Halder et al. (2007) on gladiolus, Razin et al. (1992) on thyme. Bulbous ornamental crops especially gladiolus are very sensitive to micronutrient deficiency. The deficiency causes the visual symptoms and physiological disorders. Zinc is an effective micronutrient to improve growth including, corm and cormel production (Parthasarthi and Nagaraju, 1999). Thus it is evident that zinc plays an important role in carbohydrate, protein, fat and oil metabolism within the plant and in the energy transfer mechanism. The deficiency of zinc in soils is increasing due to increased use of zinc free fertilizers and high input oriented intensive agriculture. Zinc does not only improve the grain yield but also improves the quality of crops. Gladiolus is a universally acclaimed prestigious flower. For a better cropping, it is necessary to have integrated approach of nutrients management including bio fertilizers and micronutrients (especially zinc). 20

21 In gladiolus, zinc deficient plant shows chlorosis or necrosis and premature shedding of plants (Mishra and Singh, 1993). Due to the increasing demand for the fresh flowers, area under gladiolus has increased in recent years and the yield of flower depends on different yield attributes which are closely associated with nutrient uptake by the plant. In addition to NPK, micronutrients have a great bearing in influencing the yield attributes and flower production (Khader et al., 1985). Application of micronutrients was found to enhance the foliage and flower production. Among the micronutrients, iron and zinc foliar sprays were reported to be conductive for flower production (Kumar and Arora, 2000). These advantages could be due to that micronutrients activate several enzymes and are involved in various physiological activities (Sinha et al., 1999) and metabolic function of micronutrients in the plant system are involved in the synthesis of tryptophan as the precursor for auxin (Chen et al., 1982). Bio-fertilizers seem to be a feasible option for sustained agriculture on a commercial and profitable scale. In addition, they are eco-friendly, easily available and cost effective.present study was formulated to investigate the potential role of bio-fertilizers application for enhancing growth, yield and improving quality of Gladiolus grandiflorus in a sustainable agricultural production system in order to reduce the amount of excessive chemical material released to the environment. 21

22 However, information on the sole or combined use of Azotobacter and PSB along with different NP and zinc levels under semi- arid conditions of Gwalior region is lacking. Therefore, the present experiment was designed with varying doses of NP with different combinations of bio-fertilizer and zinc on gladiolus to find out the saving of chemical fertilizers with the use of bio fertilizers and optimum dose of zinc for maximum plant growth, flowering and post harvest life of gladiolus with the following objectives: Objectives: 1. To study the effect of bio- fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of gladiolus in combination with different doses of chemical fertilizers. 2. To find out the optimum concentration of zinc for better performance of gladiolus. 3. To determine the impact of bio fertilizers, zinc and NP levels on quality parameters of gladiolus. 4. To work out the economics of treatment combinations for profitable gladiolus production under agro climatic conditions of Gwalior region. 22

23 CHAPTER II REVIEW OF LITERATURE Review of literature is a necessary step for any scientific study. It provides a theoretical framework, previous work and the basic interpretation of findings to the study. An attempt has been made to review the literature, which is meaningful and has direct relevance to this study. The available relevant references have been reviewed under appropriate heads: 2.1: Effect of bio-fertilizers on gladiolus 2.2: Effect of zinc on gladiolus 2.3: Effect of major nutrients on gladiolus 2.1: Effect of biofertilizers on gladiolus Bio-fertilizers are microbial culture, which make availability of certain plant nutrients to crops by various actions. Rhizobium, Azotobacter and Azospirillum fixes atmospheric nitrogen while certain bacteria/ fungal culture viz; Bacillus polymyxa/, Aspergillus awamori helps in phosphate solublization of both native and applied sparingly soluble phosphate. Looking to the rising price of chemical fertilizers, microbial cultures can provide an eco-friendly viable support to small and marginal farmers by partly replacing inorganic fertilizers use in crop production. 23

24 Azotobacter, a heterotrophic aerobic organism capable of fixing nitrogen as non-symbiotic is of wide occurrence in rhizosphere of many plants. Interest in the use of Azotobacter as bio fertilizer waxed and waned from time to time. The reasons may be varied, but partly be due to the inconsistent results in its performance. In Soviet Union, a soil fertilizing Azotobacter chroococum containing preparation called Azotobacterin has been used since When the ability of Azotobacter to produce biologically active substances was ascertained, it is effect on plants was associated not only with the process of nitrogen fixation and improving nitrogen nutrition of plants, but also with the supply of biologically active compounds such as vitamins and gibberellins. The amount of nitrogen fixing varies from to 20 kg/ha (Shroff, 1989). Azotobacter inoculation in tomato resulted increased vitamin-c content early flowering, plant growth and fruit yield (Azcon and Barea, 1995). Phosphorous (P) is one of the major essential macro nutrients limiting plant growth, owing to its low bio-availability in soils (Gyaneshwar et al. 2002; Feng et al. 2004). In soil, both macro and micro nutrients undergo a complex dynamic equilibrium of solubilization and insolubilization, which is greatly influenced by the soil ph and micro flora affecting their accessibility to plant roots for absorption. Phosphorus mobilizing or phosphorus solubilizing biofertilizers/ microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, mycorrhiza etc.) converts insoluble soil phosphate into soluble forms by secreting several organic acids. Under optimum 24

25 conditions, they can solubilize/ mobilize about kg P 2 O 5 /ha, due to which crop yield may increase by percent. Application of phosphobacteria in tomato resulted into increased flowering (Ocampo and Barea, 1998) increased yield, greater phosphorus uptake and improvement in the quality as well as higher yield (Smith et al., 1961). Siddique et al. (1993) reported the effect of Azotobacter inoculation after one month in mulberry cultivation. The vegetative growth including plant height, number of leaves and their size were increased significantly with Azotobacter. Verma and Shinde (1993) noticed that floriculture and vegetables crops in general and potato, onion and brinjal in particular responded well to Azotobacter treatment. In the case of sweet potato increased length of sweet potato vines and tuber growth was obtained by Azotobactor inoculation along with 50-75% of the recommended level of nitrogenous fertilizer when compared to chemical fertilizer without Azotobactor, indicating the possibility of reducing the nitrogenous fertilizer to the tune of kg N/ha per season. (Jadhav et al. 1998). Mishra (1998) recorded more number of florets/spike, number of cormels/plant and weight of cormels/plant by treating gladiolus corms with nafed super culture containing Azotobactor spp. along with other growth regulating substance. 25

26 Gupta et al. (1999) laid out a field experiment during with different combinations of Azotobactor, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and nitrogen on Tagetes erecta and recorded that growth and flower yields were highest with Azotobacter + phosphorus solubilizing bacteria in combination of 75% or 100% nitrogen. Smith et al. (2002) noticed that the application of phospho- bacteria (PSB) increased flowering, greater phosphorus uptake and improvement in the quality as well as in higher yield. Dubey and Mishra (2005) observed that the combined inoculation of gladiolus corms with Azotobacter + PSB was found best for corn weight, corms/plant, cormel/plant, cormel weight and increased propagation coefficient. Yadav et al. (2005) reported that the application of Azotobacter and PSB significantly increase the spike length but the magnitude of increase was found lower in comparison to nitrogen. Among different biofertilizers, Azotobacter was found more effective in improving the quality of spikes. Godse et al. (2006) evaluated the effect of organic manures and bioferfilizers with reduced doses of inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of gladiolus at Satpuda Botanic Garden, College of Agriculture, Nagpur during the year The results revealed that plants receiving vermicompost 8 t ha

27 Azotobacter and kg ha -1 each+ 80% RDF significantly increased growth, yield and quality attributes of gladiolus viz., plant height, number of leaves, number of spikes ha -1, number of corms plant -1, weight of corms ha -1, length of spike and number of florets spike -1 when compared with RDF and other treatments. As regarding diameter of open floret, the treatments of vermicompost 8 t ha -1 +Azotobacter and 25 kg ha -1 each+ 80% RDF, FYM 40 t ha -1 +Azotobacter and 25 kg ha -1 each+ 80% RDF, Neemcake 6 t ha -1 +Azotobacter and 25 kg ha -1 each+80% RDF and RDF alone were found significantly at par with each other. FYM 40 t ha -1 +Azotobacter and 25 kg ha -1 each+80% RDF and Neem cake 6 t ha -1 +Azotobacter and 25 kg ha- 1 each+80% RDF also increased growth, yield and quality of gladiolus significantly over RDF except number of leaves, number of florets spike -1 and diameter of open floret. As regards B:C ratio, the treatment of vermicompost 8 t ha -1 + Azotobacter and 25 kg ha -1 each+80% RDF exhibited the highest B:C ratio (3.70) when compared with RDF (2.81), whereas B:C ratio of the treatment of FYM 40 t ha- 1 +Azotobacter and 25 kg ha- 1 each+80% RDF (2.80) was found equal to RDF. Srivastava and Govil (2007) found that the biofertilizers significantly improved different vegetative and floral characters as compared to control. Vegetative growth was enhanced most 27

28 effectively by Azotobacter treatment. However, for quality spike production PSB was found more effective. It was found that the treatment of the corms with the biofertilizers increased the total rhizospheric bacterial population. The maximum c.f.u/g soil (148.2) was recorded in Azotobacter (at 100 g/l) as compared to (70.0) in control. This indicates that the improvement in the various characters of gladiolus is due to the activity of rhizospheric bacteria, which is enhanced by biofertilizer inoculation. Dalve et al. (2009) reported that the growth parameters like plant height and number of leaves, flowering parameters like days required for emergence of spikes, days required for first pair of florets, days required for 50% flowering, yield contributing characters like number of florets/ spike, number of spike/plant, corms and cormels per plant and per hectare were positively influenced by the application of both the biofertilizers in combination with nitrogen and it was maximum under 75% N + 100% PK+ Azotobacter + Azospirillum and at par with the treatment 100% NPK+ Azotobacter + Azospirillum. Thus there was 25% saving of nitrogenous a fertilizer which was replaced by the biofertilizers. Dongardive et al. (2009) studied the influence of organic manure and biofertilizers on yield and yield contributing parameters of corms and cormels in gladiolus cv. White Prosperity at Satpuda Botanical Garden, College of Agriculture, Nagpur (M.S.) during the 28

29 year The data indicated that, the yield in terms of number of corms and weight of corms and cormels per plant, weight of corm and cormels per hectare and diameter of corms were found to be highly influenced by the treatment where RDF (500:200:200 NPK kg/ha) applied. The treatment RDF (500:200:200 NPK kg/ha) produced highest corm yield of q/ha with g plant -1 yield of cormels. The treatment of vermicompost 8 t/ha+ (Azotobacter 5 kg/ha)+ PSB 5 kg/ha also showed significant results were producing corm yield of qt/ha and cormels yield weighing g plant -1. Thus significantly the maximum corm and cormels yield were obtained in the treatment where RDF (500:200:200 NPK kg/ha) was applied and in the treatment of vermicompost 8 t/ha respectively as compared to other treatments. Dubey et al. (2010) revealed that the combined inoculation of gladiolus corms with AZT+PSB was found best for days to flowering ( days), first floret diameter (9.08 cm), florets remaining open (6.46) and days to last floret opening ( days) among all the bio-fertilizer(s) treatments. Ahmad Ali et al. (2013) assess the effect of different biofertilizer on growth and flower quality characteristics of Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.). The present results have shown that all the vegetative and reproductive growth accomplished successfully by application of biofertilizers. However, the treatment containg 29

30 Azospirillum (T 4 ) gained highest values in terms of plant height, florets spike -1, Spike length, Florets fresh weight and earlier sprouting than rest of the treatments. The role of biofertilizers in cormels production and nutrient uptake, T 4 had also superiority with more cormels plant -1 and played leading role in nutrient (NPK) absorption than the control one. So, in this experiment biofertilizer has been identified as an alternative to chemical fertilizer in order to increase soil fertility and crop production in sustainable farming. Sonmez et al. (2013) observed that the highest mean contents of nitrogen (1.97%), iron (160 ppm) and manganese (128 ppm) in leaves were obtained in chicken manure application, the highest mean contents of potassium (2.01%), calcium (1.80%) and magnesium (0.25 ppm) were determined in waste mushroom compost application. The highest mean contents of phosphorus (0.30%), zinc (25.3 ppm) and copper (9.29 ppm) in leaves were found with peat, control and farmyard manure applications, respectively. The highest mean contents of phosphorus (0.83%), potassium (1.47%), calcium (0.57%), manganese (73 ppm) and zinc (67.3 ppm) in corms were obtained in farmyard manure applications. The highest mean contents of iron (17.6 ppm) and magnesium (0.20%) in corms were obtained in peat and waste mushroom compost applications, respectively. Application of organic fertilizers increased macro and micro nutrient contents in leaves and corms of hybrid Gladiolus sp. 30

31 Chaudhary et al. (2013) carried out study to know the combined effect of integrated nutrient management on vegetative growth and flowering characters of gladiolus cv. Snow Princess with the application of Azospirillum, PSB, vermicompost and FYM with and without 100, 75 and 50% recommended dose of NPK. The results showed that plant height was maximum with application of 75% RDF +20 t ha -1 FYM, while number of florets remaining open at a time was recorded maximum under 100% RDF+FYM, 20 tonnes/ha. Days to first floret opening and number of days for 50% plant to sprout were earliest under treatments 75% RDF+FYM,10 tonnes/ha+ vermicompost, 10 tonnes/ha and vermicompost, 20 tonnes/ha, respectively. The application of 20 t ha- 1 FYM produced maximum number of leaves. The components like diameter of 3 rd florets, length of rachis, fresh weight of plant and vase life of spike in tap water were maximum with 50% RDF (60: 40: 40 kg/ha NPK) +10 tonnes/ha each of FYM and vermicompost; whereas days to first floret opening was minimum with 75% RDF (90:60:60 kg/ha NPK) +10 tonnes/ha each of FYM and vermicompost. Application of integrated nutrients, i.e. 50% RDF (60:40:40 kg/ha NPK) +10 tonnes/ha each of FYM and vermicompost +2 g/plant each of Azospirillum and PSB produced significantly maximum length of spike, number of florets per spike, duration of flowering and yield of corms. 31

32 2.2: EFFECT OF ZINC ON GLADIOLUS: Zinc has vital role in plant life. It is essential for vegetative and reproductive processes. Its functions in the plants largely as a metal activator of several enzymes, oxaloacetic- decarboxylase, lecithinase, cystieine, disulphydrase, histidine deaminase, carbonic anhydrase, dihydropeptidase and glycylglycine diperpidase. (Reed, 1942). Application of zinc had conspicuous effect on the vegetative growth of gladioli (Sharova et al., 1977), while number of bulbils/leaf scale increased following zinc in lily (Kara and Gindina, 1970). The mobility of zinc in the soil and its uptake by plants is influenced by the supply of major nutrients and their interaction with zinc in soil react interface through their chemical reaction and physiological mechanism. A mutual antagonistic interaction between the micronutrients as well as with certain macronutrients either in soils or at the absorption sites or within the plant is well documented (Tiwari and Pathak, 1976; Katyal and Randhawa, 1983). In many parts of India, zinc as a plant nutrient now stand third in importance next to nitrogen and phosphorus, the deficiency of zinc under semi arid climate has emerged as a serious limitations to crop production. Zinc deficiency is being widely expressed in the light textured soils. Earlier studies suggest that various crops respond well to zinc (Tiwari and Dwivedi, 1991). Sharma and Grewal (1998) observed that the zinc applied through soil (20 kg haˉ¹), foliar sprays (0.2% ZnSO 4 solution at 40 and 60 days after 32

33 planting) and soaking of seed tubers (0.05% ZnSO 4 solution for 3 hours) increased the yield of potato tubers significantly over control. Kumar and Arora (2000) reported that sprays of FeSO 4, ZnSO 4 and MnSO 4 at 3-leaf and 6-leaf stages of gladiolus (cv. White Prosperity) revealed earliness in flowering and increase the plant height and number of leaves under 0.2% FeSO 4. Spike length, number of florets, weight of spike and size of florets were significantly increased with FeSO 4 + ZnSO 4, each at 0.2%. Longest duration of flowering was observed under 0.4% FeSO % ZnSO 4. Singh and Singh (2000) noticed that the different levels of ZnSO 4 failed to exert any perceptible influence on number of cormlets/plant and weight of cormlets/plant. However the 20kg ZnSO 4 /ha caused maximum increase in weight of corm and diameter of corm. Joshi and Raghav (2002) conducted experiment with potato cultivar Kufri Jawahar during winter seasons of and at Pant nagar. The tuber yield increased significantly by the application of zinc sulphate. Recommended doses (RDF) of NPK + foliar application of ZnSO 0.5% at 35, 45 and 55 days after planting gave higher yield followed by RDF ZnSO 1% (foliar) and RDF + ZnSO 20 kg/ha as soil application. Foliar application of zinc sulphate was found superior as compared to soil application. 33

34 Kumar et al. (2003) conducted field experiment at C.S.A. University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur during on the gladiolus var. Sylvia at 3-leaf stage with borax, CaSO 4 and ZnSO 4 (0.2,0.5 and 0.75%) sprayings and revealed that ZnSO 4 at 0.75% induced earlier flowering (75.81 days) and increased the number of corms (1.33). Length of leaf (55.75 cm) and length of floret (8.96 cm) were significantly increased with 0.2% borax % ZnSO 4 and 0.5% CaSO % ZnSO 4, respectively. Sharma et al. (2004) reported that the spray of zinc sulphate (0.6%) were found most effective for enhancing vegetative growth, spike length, number and size of florets, flowering duration and number of spike in gladiolus. Singh and Singh (2004) found that application of the highest level of ZnSO 4 (20.0 kg/ha) resulted in maximum number of flowers/spike with larger size of spike. They suggested that gladiolus Cv. Sylvia may be planted at a spacing of 25x20 cm and a dose of 20.0 kg ZnSO 4 /ha may be applied during last ploughing. Jauhari et al. (2005) noticed that the application of zinc sulphate (0.2%) gave maximum plant height, spike length, rachis length and florets opened at a time, whereas corm yield and percent opening of florets in vase were maximum with the application of zinc sulphate at 0.4%. It was observed that higher concentration of zinc sulphate (beyond 0.4%) had negative effect on plant growth, 34

35 flowering and corm yield. This implies that 0.4% zinc sulphate is the optimum concentration in gladiolus for better crop performance. Maximum zinc content of leaf was recorded with 1.0% zinc sulphate application which was at par with lower concentration (0.6 & 0.8%). Maximum N and K contents of corm were recorded with application of zinc sulphate at 0.6 and 0.2%, respectively. Pratap et al. (2005) conducted experiment in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, comprised 16 treatment combinations with 4 levels each of FeSO 4 (0, 0.5, 0.75 and 1%) and ZnSO 4 (0, 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75%) sprayed at the 3 rd and 6 th leaf stage of gladiolus cv. Trader Horn and found that the foliar spraying of FeSO 4 at 0.5% concentration significantly influenced iron content in the leaves. In contrast, leaf zinc content was least influenced by spraying of FeSO 4. Significantly enhanced zinc content in the leaves was recorded by spraying with ZnSO 4 at 0.5%. The combined spraying of FeSO 4 and ZnSO 4 at varied concentrations resulted in significant but inconsistent changes in leaf nutrient accumulation. Foliar spray of FeSO 4 at 0.75% significantly enhanced the cormel weight. The effect of ZnSO 4 alone or in combination with FeSO4 had no significant effect on corm and cormel production parameters. Bala et al. (2006) conducted an experiment in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, on gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus) cultivars Praha, Fiedelio and Jacksonvilla Gold to determine the effect of pre 35

36 harvest sprays of ZnSO 4 (0, 0.5 and 1%) and planting date (1 November, 16 November and 2 December) on flowering, flower quality and vase life. Fiedelio was late to open first floret and complete flowering and produced longer and heavier spikes with more number of florets per spike. Corms planted on 1 November were earliest to flower. Flowering was delayed with the increase of concentration of ZnSO 4. In vase life studies, Fiedelio recorded maximum fresh weight and minimum water loss to uptake ratio. Jacksonvilla Gold recorded maximum vase life and minimum number of florets opened per day. The numbers of florets opened per day were maximum in November plantings coupled with ZnSO 4 sprays. Halder et al. (2007) studied that the different growth characters (viz; plant height, length of spike, length of rachis & leaves number) and floral character (viz; floret number, floret size & weight of stick) significantly responded to the combined application of boron and zinc at the rate of B 2.0 Zn 4.54 as compared to other treatment combination. Pratap et al. (2008) reported that the keeping quality of gladiolus spikes adjudged on the prolonged shelf life by micronutrients (FeSO 4 & ZnSO 4 ) sprays. Pre harvest foliar spray of FeSO 4 at 0.75 or 1.0% with ZnSO 4 at 0.5% concentration and postharvest dipping of the cut spikes in preservative chemicals showed significant improvement in the keeping quality of spikes of gladiolus. 36

37 Kumar and Haripriya (2010) carried out an experiment on the effect of foliar application of iron and zinc on growth, flowering and yield of Nerium (Nerium odorum L.) using monthly spray of 0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75% of FeSO 4 and ZnSO 4 and their combination with a control (water spray). Among different treatments, FeSO 0.75% + ZnSO 0.50% spray gave significantly maximum value of all the growth attributes like plant height, number of leaves per plant, plant spread and leaf area. However, significant and superior results on early flowering, duration of flowering and yield attributes and estimated flower yield per hectare were observed with FeSO 0.75% + ZnSO 0.50% spray, followed by FeSO 0.75% + ZnSO 0.75% spray. Khalifa et al. (2011) conducted pot experiment on sandy soil during and seasons in the green house of the National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. This work was aimed to study the influence the foliar spraying of zinc (as zinc sulphate) and boron (as boric acid) on growth parameters, bulblet, flower characteristics, chemical constituents and nutrients content of leaves and flowers. Zinc sulphate at concentrations of 0.0, 1.5g/l, 3.0g/l and 4.5g/l and boric acid (B) at concentrations of 0.0, 5ppm, 10 ppm and 20 ppm were applied alone and in combinations twice as foliar spray, where the first spray was after 45days and the second was after 60 days of planting. Results showed that the foliar spraying of zinc 37

38 sulphate or boric acid alone at all rates and all combinations significantly increased growth parameters, flowers characteristics and bulblet number and yield/plant as compared with the control treatment. The treatments also significantly increased leaves carbohydrate, pigment, nutrients, i.e. N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn and B content, as well as carbohydrate and oil of flowers (%) and its nutrients content as compared with the control. The most promising results were obtained from plants treated with Zn at 4.5g/l combined with 20 ppm B. Lahijie (2012) noted that the solutions of FeSO 4 and ZnSO 4 significantly affected plant growth and floral characteristics of gladiolus. Higher contents of both FeSO 4 and ZnSO 4 speeded the plant growth and increased flowering characteristics. Application of 1% FeSO 4 accelerated flowering earlier than ZnSO 4, as well as elongated days to spike emergence (21.49 days) and first florets opening (38.28). The results showed that 2% of both FeSO 4 and ZnSO 4 solutions and their mixture delayed the days from basal floret opening and number of floret at a time. The flowering properties like plant height (83.47 cm), length of spike (66.03 cm), number of leaves (9.52/plant) floret number (11.55/spike), and diameter of floret (8.53 cm) were significantly different than other treatments when a mixed solution of 2% FeSO 4 and ZnSO 4 was applied. 38

39 Katiyar et al. (2012) carried out the experiment on spike production in gladiolus with foliar application of zinc, calcium and boron in Horticulture Garden of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur in Randomized Block Design with four replications. The experimental plots were 32 with 8 treatments and two levels each of zinc, calcium and boron treated by zinc sulphate 0.5%, calcium sulphate 0.75% and borax 0.2%, respectively. The results obtained revealed that the foliar spray of zinc at 0.5% to gladiolus plant was most effective to influence the vegetative growth and size of spike. Singh et al. (2012) reported that the foliar spray of Zn, Fe and Cu, significantly increased the number of corms per plant in gladiolus. The number of corms per plant revealed by Zn (1.74), Fe (1.66) and Cu (1.68) over their respective control. Weight of corms significantly increased with the application of Zn and Cu (94.38 and g, respectively). Diameter of corms influenced significantly with the application of Zn, Fe and Cu (5.71, 5.77 and 5.81 cm diameter, respectively. Maximum increase in cormels production per plant was influenced due to application of zinc (44.97) followed by spray of copper (43.18) and iron (42.11) over their respective control. Sharma et al. (2013) carried out an experiment at, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur during the year The experiment consist two levels each of 39

40 Zn (Zn 0 and Zn 1 ), Ca (Ca 0 and Ca 1 ) and B (B 0 and B 1 ) which were sprayed on gladiolus plant. The dose of foliar spray of Zn, Ca and B were 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.20%, respectively. The height of plant significantly increased by foliar application of Zn, B, and Ca (79.55 cm, cm and 78.75, respectively) and interaction effect was also significant between those. The yield of spike increased significantly with foliar application of zinc and calcium and the maximum yield of spike ( ) was recorded with application of zinc 0.75%. The length of floret was significantly enhanced by the use of B (8.29) and Zn (8.23) while, effect of Ca was non-significant. Spray of calcium was found most effective in prolonging the longevity of spike (17.61 days) as compare to control (14.79 days) and more corms (3.30) were produced in the plants fertilized with zinc. Among the results obtained from the application of Zn, B and Ca and its interaction. Zn exhibited most significant effect on various parameters studied under the investigation. Memon et al. (2013) examined the effect of zinc sulphate (ZnSO 4 ) and iron sulphate (FeSO 4 ) on the growth and flower production of gladiolus. The results showed that application of 40 g ZnSO g FeSO 4 resulted in significantly better performance than rest of the treatments with leaves plant -1 and cm length of leaves. The control treatment resulted in lowest values for almost all the studied traits. It was concluded that overall growth and flower 40