INFLUENCE OF BIOFERTILIZERS ON GROWTH AND FLOWERING IN GLADIOLUS CV. AMERICAN BEAUTY

Gladiolus is an economically important bulbous ornamental crop grown for its magnificent spikes. Biofertilizers offer a more economical and eco-friendly option of fertilization. The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of Azotobacter, Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), VA-mycorrhiza (VAM) and farmyard manure on growth and flowering in gladiolus cv. American Beauty during 2003-04. The biofertilizers were applied once at the time of planting using corm dip method for half an hour followed by shade drying before planting. The corms were planted in the last week of October 2003 at a spacing of 30 x 30 cm. The experiment was carried out in RBD with four replications. The plants were subjected to uniform cultural practices. All the biofertilizers significantly improved different vegetative and floral characters as compared to control. Vegetative growth was enhanced most 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.