View: Full Length Article
Chandana M.1*, Hemla Naik B.2, Thippeshappa G.N.3, Champa B.V.4, Nandish M.S.6 and Kantharaj Y.7
1Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, KeladiShivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga (Karnataka), India.
2Department of Horticulture, KeladiShivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga (Karnataka), India.
3Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, KSNUAHS, Shivamogga (Karnataka), India.
4Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, KSNUAHS, Shivamogga (Karnataka), India.
5Department of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Agriculture, KSNUAHS, Shivamogga (Karnataka), India.
6Department of Post-harvest Technology, College of Horticulture, Mudigere, KSNUAHS, Shivamogga (Karnataka), India.
Received-25.04.2025, Revised-12.05.2025, Accepted-24.05.2025
Abstract: Alternatives to fertilizers are required due to the rising expense of fertilizers with lower nutrient usage efficiency. The availability of macro and micronutrients is influenced by the various chemical changes that soil microorganisms contribute to. This study evaluated the effectiveness of various microbial strains for enhancing plant nutrient availability in soil. The present investigation was conducted during 2021–2022 at the College of Agriculture, Shivamogga, Karnataka, to assess the effect of bio-inoculants and graded potassium levels on soil chemical properties, nutrient availability, and yield in chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with ten treatments and three replications, using the variety ‘Kolar Local.’ Bio-inoculants including Bacillus mucilaginosus (KSB), Aspergillus awamori (KSF), Azotobacter chroococcum, Pseudomonas striata (PSB), and Glomus fasciculatum (VAM) were incorporated along with FYM and chemical fertilizers. Soil analysis post-harvest revealed that treatment T7 (100% N & P₂O₅ + 75% K₂O + KSB + KSF) recorded optimum soil pH (6.80), EC (0.36 dS/m), and significantly higher available nitrogen (292.13 kg/ha), phosphorus (85.67 kg/ha), and potassium (205.68 kg/ha). Flower yield (2.68 t/560 m²) and sucker yield (21,315.5 suckers/560 m²) were also highest in T7, showing 34.67% and 78.94% increases, respectively. The enhanced nutrient availability and yield were attributed to improved microbial activity, nutrient solubilization, and hormone production. This study confirms that integrated nutrient management using bio-fertilizers with reduced chemical fertilizers is a sustainable approach to enhance soil fertility, flower yield, and quality in chrysanthemum cultivation.
Keywords: Soil chemical properties, microbial inoculants, KSB, KSF
REFERENCES
Archana, D. S., Savalgi, V. P. and Alagawadi, A. R. (2008). Effect of potassium solubilizing bacteria on growth and yield of maize. Soil Biology and Ecology, 28(1): 9-18.
Bagyalakshmi, B., Ponmurugan, P. and Marimuthu, S. (2012). Influence of potassium solubilizing bacteria on crop productivity and quality of tea (Camellia sinensis). African Journal of Agricultural Research, 7(30): 4250-4259.
Biradar, M., Naik, B. H., Ganapathi, M. and Asha, K. M. (2017). Effect of balanced nutrition and bio-inoculants on flower yield and quality attributes of chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev), Journal of Plant Development Sciences, 9(12): 1119-1122.
Boodley, J. W. (1975). Plant nutrition and flower quality. Journal of Horticultural Sciences, 10(1): 41-48.
Bray, R. H. and Kurtz, L. T. (1945). Determination of total, organic, and available forms of phosphorus in soils. Soil Sci., 59: 39-45.
Clarson, D. (2004). Potash biofertilizer for ecofriendly agriculture. Agro-clinic and Research Centre, Poovanthuruthu, Kottayam (Kerala), India., pp. 98-110.
Ektakumari., Avijit Sen, V. K., Srivastava., Ram, K., Singh, Y., Singh, B. R., Maurya., Vijaya, P. and Sarma, B. (2018). Effect of different potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB) and Trichoderma on soil microbial status of baby corn (Zea mays L.). International Journal of Chemical Studies, 6(3): 180-183.
Gurav, S. B., Singh, B. R., Katwate, S. M., Sabale, R. N., Kakade, D. S. and Dhane, A. V. (2004). Influence of NPK nutrients on yield and quality in rose under protected condition. Journal of Ornamental Horticulture, 7(3&4): 239-242.
Jackson, M. L. (1973). Soil Chemical Analysis, Prentice Hall of India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, pp. 38-56.
Jadhav, P. B., Singh, A., Mangave, B. D., Patil, N. B., Patel, D. J., Dekhane, S. S. and Kireeti, A. (2014). Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth and yield of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Basanti Gainda. Annals of Biological Research, 5(9): 10-14.
Kirar, K. P. S., Lekhi, R., Sharma, S. and Sharma, R. (2014). Effect of integrated nutrient management practices on growth and flower yield of china aster (Callistephus chinensis L.) cv. Princess Excellent Publishing House., pp. 234-237.
Kumar, D., Singh, B. P. and Singh, V. N. (2009). Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, flowering behavior and yield of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. African Giant Double Orange. Journal of Horticultural Sciences, 4(2): 134-137.
Kumar, K. R, Singh, K. P. and Raju, D. V. S. (2014). Symbiotic effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth and flowering of micro propagated plants of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum dendranthemum Ramat). International Journal of Bio resource and Stress Management, 5(3): 369-374.
Laishram, N. (2013). Studies on integrated nutrient management for commercial flower production of chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev.). M. Sc. (Agri.) Thesis. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan.
Mashaldi, A. (2000). Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and post-harvest life of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Double orange. M. Sc. (Agri.) Thesis, Universty of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad (Karnataka).
Meena, V. S., Maurya, B. R., Verma, P, J. and Meena, R. S. (2013). Potassium solubilizing microorganisms for sustainable agriculture. Journal of Agriculture and Social Sciences, 5: 73-76.
Meshram, N., Badge, S., Bhongle, S. A. and Khiratkar, S. D. (2008). Effect of bio-inoculants with graded doses of NPK on flowering, yield attributes and economics of annul chrysanthemum. Journal of Soil and Crops, 18(1): 217-220.
Nayak, B. (2001). Uptake of potash by different plants with the use of potash mobilizing bacteria (Frateuria aurantia). Thesis, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar.
Palagani, N., Barad, A. V., Bhosale, N. and Thumar, B. V. (2013). Influence of integrated plant nutrition on growth and flower yield of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) cv. IIHR-6 under saurashtra condition. Asian Journal of Horticulture, 8(2): 502-506.
Patanwar, M., Sharma, G., Banjare, C., Chandravanshi, D. and Sahu, E. (2014). Growth and development of chrysanthemum (Dendranthem grandiflora Tzvelev) as influenced by integrated nutrient management. International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 4: 459-462.
Rawat, J., Sanwal, P. and Saxena, J. (2016). Potaasium and its role in sustainable agriculture. In Potassium soulubilizing microorganisms for sustainable agriculture, 235-253.
Sheergojri, G. A., Neelofar, Rather, Z. A., Khan, F. U., Nazki, I. T. and Qadri, Z. A. (2013). Effect of chemical fertilization and bio-inoculants on growth and flowering of dahlia (Dahlia variabiliesDesf.) cv. Pink Attraction. Applied Biological Research, 15(2): 121-129.
Subbaiah, B. V. and Asija, G. L. (1956). A rapid procedure for determination of available nitrogen in rice soils. Curr. Sci., 25: 259- 260.
Subhashini, D. V. (2015). Growth promotion and increased potassium uptake of Tobacco by potassium mobilizing bacterium Frateuria aurantia grown at different potassium levels in Vertisols. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 46(2): 210- 220.
Sugumaran, P. and Janarthan, B. (2007). Solubilization of potassium obtaining minerals by bacteria and their effect on plant growth. World Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 3(3): 350- 355.
Swaroop, K. (2011). Influence of bio-fertilizers on growth and productivity of flower and seed yield of marigold cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda. Journal of Ornamental Horticulture, 14(3&4): 45-48.
Thumar, B. V., Barad, A. V., Neelima, P. and Nilima, B. (2013). Effect of integrated system of plant nutrition management on growth, yield and flower quality of African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Pusa Narangi Gainda. Asian Journal of Horticulture, 8(2): 466-469.
Verma, S. K., Angadi, S. G., Patil, V. S., Mokashi, A. N., Mathad, J. C. and Mummigatti, U. V. (2011). Growth, yield and quality of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) cv. Raja as influenced by integrated nutrient management. Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 24(5): 681-683.