RESUMO
An experiment was conducted to study the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on plant height, plant spread and flower diameter of Gaillardia (Gaillardia pulchella). In Gaillardia the plant maximum height was recorded in the plot treated with 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK + press mud at 10 tones ha-1 followed by 75 per cent recommended dose of NPK + press mud at 10 t ha-1 at 45 days and 75 per cent recommended dose of NPK + press mud at 5 tones ha-1 at 15, 30 and 60 days. Highest plant spread was obtained at 30 and 45 days after planting in the treatments which involved 100 per cent recommended dose of NPK + press mud at 10 t ha-1 and at 60 days no significant differences were recorded. The combination of recommended dose of NPK + press mud at 10 t ha-1 produced maximum diameter of flower.
RESUMO
A field study was conducted to determine the effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on growth and yield of bitter gourd. Four PGPR strains (Azospirillum, Phosphorous solubilising bacteria, Pseudomonas flourescens and Bacillus subtilis), one commercial organic product (Aishwarya) and non inoculated control were used. The study revealed that seeds inoculated with Azospirillum (basal @ 5 kg ha-1 + 40 days after sowing (DAS) @ 5 kg ha-1) recorded early germination (6.48 days). The maximum vine length (4.42 m) was recorded in basal @ 2 l/plant application of both Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas flourescens @ 2.5 kg ha-1. Number of primary branches was maximum (4.80) in plants applied with phosphorous solubilising bacteria (PSB) as basal @ 5 kg/ha and 40 DAS @ 5 kg/ha. Tap root length (23.57 cm) and secondary root length (39.88 cm) were highest in the plants supplied with Azospirillum (basal @ 5 kg ha-1 + 40 DAS @ 5 kg ha-1) where as, dry root weight (4.64 g) was more in case of double application of Bacillus subtilis basal @ 2 l plant -1 + 40 DAS @ 2 l plant -1. Two time application of Bacillus subtilis basal + 40 DAS @ 2 l plant -1 produced the maximum yield plant -1 and yield plot -1 (2.72 kg and 16.33 kg respectively).