R.K. Goyal

Bio: R.K. Goyal is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Biofertilizer & Azotobacter. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publications receiving 22 citations.

Effect of different nitrogen levels and biofertilizers on growth, yield and nutrient content of Chrysanthemum

Abstract: A pot experiment was conducted in the screen-house of the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2011-12 and 2012-13 to investigate the effect of different levels of nitrogen (0, 10, 20 and 30 g/m2) and biofertilizers (Azotobacter andAzospirillum) on growth, yield and nutrient content of Chrysanthemum. The interaction effect of different levels of nitrogen and biofertilizers on number of branches per plant was found to be non-significant during both years of experimentation. The fresh weight of plant was found to be significant during both the years. In the year 2011-12, the maximum fresh weight of plant (102.36 g) was noticed with the application of Azospirillum along with nitrogen 20 g/m2, whereas, in second year, it was maximum (103.45 g) with the application of Azospirillum in combination of nitrogen 30 g/m2. The maximum dry weight of plant (10.52 and 10.50 g) was observed in the application of Azospirillum along with nitrogen 20 g/m2, which was at par with Azospirillum along with nitrogen 30 g/m2 (10.06 and 10.40 g). The maximum flower yield per plant (59.16 and 67.22 g) was recorded with Azospirillum application alongwith nitrogen 20 g/m2. However, in second year, it was at par with Azotobacter in combination of nitrogen 20 g/m2 (61.70 g). In the year 2011-12, the maximum nitrogen content (4.79%) was recorded in Azospirillum along with nitrogen 30 g/m2, whereas, in the next year, it was recorded maximum (4.65%) in Azotobacter along with nitrogen 30 g/m2, which was at par with Azospirillum along with nitrogen 30 g/m2 (4.55 %). Interaction effect of nitrogen and biofertilizers on phosphorus and potassium content were found to be non-significant during both the years of investigation.

Growth, Yield and Quality of Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifoliumRamat.) cv. Dolly Orange as influenced by Biofertilizers in combination with Phosphorous

Abstract: A pot experiment was conducted in the screen-house of the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2011–12 and 2012–13 to investigate the potential effect of biofertilizers (PSB and mycorrhiza) and different levels of phosphorus (0, 10, 15 and 20 g/m2) on growth, yield and quality of chrysanthemum. The conjunctive effect of biofertilizers and different levels of phosphorus was found to be significant for both the years. The maximum plant height (31.77 and 33.33 cm), fresh weight of plant (100.90 and 96.77 g) and dry weight of plant (10.85 and 10.15 g) were recorded with PSB + phosphorus 15 g/m2 in the year 2011–12 and 2012–13, respectively. The minimum number of days taken for bud initiation (61.67 and 63.33 days) and number of days to first flowering (75.00 and 75.67 days) were also obtained with PSB + phosphorus 15 g/m2 in both the years, respectively. The maximum number of buds per plant (32.33 and 32.00), number of flowers per plant (29.00 and 29.33), the longest flower stalk (6.33 and 6.33 cm) were noticed with PSB + phosphorus 15 g/m2 in the year 2011–12 and 2012–13, respectively. The maximum number of days taken for bud initiation (79.00 and 80.33 days) was recorded with mycorrhiza application (alone) during both the years, respectively. The interaction effect between the biofertilizers and levels of phosphorous on number of suckers per plant was found to be non-significant during both the years of experimentation.

Flowering of chrysanthemum as influenced by the application of biofertilizers and fertilizer nitrogen

Abstract: The present investigation was conducted in the screen-house of the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during the two successive seasons of 2011–12 and 2012–13 to evaluate the effect of biofertilizers (Azotobacter and Azospirillum) and different levels of nitrogen (0, 10, 20 and 30 g/m2) on flowering parameters of chrysanthemum cv. Dolly Orange. Maximum number of flowers per plant (28.00 and 32.00) were recorded on the pots receiving Azospirillum + 20 g/m2 nitrogen in the year 2011–12 and 2012–13, respectively. The interaction between levels of nitrogen and biofertilizers on flower size was found to be non-significant in the year 2011–12, but it was significant in the year 2012–13. Maximum flower size (4.60 cm) was obtained in treatment combination of Azotobacter and 20 g/m 2 nitrogen. The maximum fresh weight of flower (2.11 and 2.10 g) was recorded with Azospirillum in combination of 20 g/m 2 nitrogen in both the years, respectively.

Growth stimulation and management of diseases of ornamental plants using phosphate solubilizing microorganisms: current perspective

Abstract: Ornamental plants play an important role in human society since flowers are considered a vital component due to their beauty, texture, color, shape and fragrance. To produce high quality ornamentals, growers in general have intensified the use of agrochemicals without considering their deleterious impact on floral attributes. Also, the agrochemicals (including fertilizers and pesticides) used in floriculture are expensive and their excessive application results in emergence of pathogens resistant to such chemicals. It has, therefore, become imperative to develop renewable, inexpensive and eco-friendly fertilizers without producing any disturbing impact on quality of ornamentals. In this regard, phosphate solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) among plant growth promoting rhizobacteria have been identified as an efficient alternative to agrochemicals in floriculture. Even though, there are adequate reports on the effect of PSM on growth and development of numerous plants, information on the impact of PSM on production and quality of ornamental plants is, however, critically scarce. Considering these gaps and success of PSM application in floriculture achieved so far, efforts have been directed to highlight the impact of PSM on the production of ornamentals grown distinctively in different production systems. Also, the role of PSM in the management of ornamental diseases is discussed and considered. The review will conclude by identifying several PSM for future researches aiming to improve the health and quality of ornamentals grown in different production systems. Use of PSM is also likely to reduce the use of chemicals in floriculture.

Microbial biofilm inoculants benefit growth and yield of chrysanthemum varieties under protected cultivation through enhanced nutrient availability

Abstract: Protected cultivation of ornamental flowers, as a commercial venture, becomes less profitable with excessive use of fertilizers. The present study examined the influence of microbial biofilm inocul...

Comparison between chemical fertilization and integrated nutrient management: yield, quality, N, and P contents in Dendranthema grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitam. cultivars.

Abstract: To assess the effects of a new integrated nutrient management protocol on yield and cut stem quality, root morphology, N accumulation, nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE), and P content in tissue, a biennial (2011 and 2012) chrysanthemum cut flower cultivation was carried out. In both years, two nutrition management (CNM: conventional NM and INM: integrated NM) treatments and two Dendranthema grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura cultivar (“White CV1” and “Yellow CV2”) treatments were compared. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with three replicates. CNM was fertilized using a recommended dose fertilization of mineral NPK; INM treatment was fertilized using a half dose (50%) of CNM plus a combined usage of N organic fertilizer, seaweed extract (Ascophyllum nodosum), and microrganism consortium (Glomus sp. and Bacillus sp.). Yield at harvest (+19%), number of leaves (+33%), leaf area (+46%), number of flower heads (+27%), and total aboveground dry weight (+40%) were significantly increased by the INM application compared to the control. In terms of the root system, the increase was evident in terms of length (+174%), volume (+167%), projected area (+166%), and surface area (+165%), tips (+175%), forks (+285%), and crossings (+464%). The greatest N accumulation, in both years, was registered by INM treatment at harvest: +94% in 2011 and +55% in 2012. Differences in the NM were evident in the NUE, which was highest in CNM (on average 162) compared to INM (on average 142). In both years the P content in above-ground chrysanthemum tissues was in the order of head > leaves > stems, which was maintained in both INM and CNM treatments. A higher yield (138 stems m−2) was obtained in “CV2 Yellow” compared to “CV1 White” (120 stems m−2). Based on our findings, applying INM to chrysanthemum improves yield, cut flower quality, and plant nutrient uptake, in an agro–environmentally sustainable way. A basic economic analysis on fertilizers, cost gross production, and takings difference obtained, was carried out.