Influence of Marigold Flower Effluent and Plant Growth Promoting Microorganisms on Growth and Yield of Potato (Solarium tuberosum L.)

摘要

Marigold flower leachate, an effluent from the marigold processing industry, was used in irrigation as a one-time amendment to nearby arable land. It has found to be a source of essential nutrients and no harmful effects for plants. Hence, the presentstudy was taken up to evaluate the combined effect of untreated marigold flower leachate (UMFE) and plant growth promoting microorganisms (PGPM) as a supplement along with other combinations, on growth and yield of potato. The treatments T_6 (RDF + UMFE+ PGPM) and T_7 (RDF + 50 ; 50 (Water : UMFE) + PGPM) reported higher plant height, number of shoots per plant, number of leaves per plant and chlorophyll content and were superior when compared to other treatments. Higher yields were obtained in the treatment received with PGPM, demonstrating that PGPM is effective in stimulating plant vegetative growth and enhancing crop productivity. The yield in T_7 treatment was higher (19.68 t ha~(-1) of tubers), when compared to the control (5.90 t ha1). The study found that applying UMFE in a 50:50 ratio (UFME: bore well water) to the agricultural land and PGPM, could be a feasible option for recycling the industrial wastewater without losing the essential nutrients. According to the study, UMFE, rich in nutrients improves the soil by adding organic matter, and beneficial bacteria aid in the solubilization and mobilization of nutrients in the soil to the plant system, resulting in a better supplement for improved growth and yield in potato.