5. Effect of phosphorus levels and phosphate solubilizing bacteria on growth and seed production in coriander
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Abstract
A field trial on “Effect of phosphorus levels and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on growth and seed production in coriander” was performed at Horticulture Research Farm, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan during 2016-17. The research was carried out using Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement, having two factors repeated three times. Different Phosphorus (P) levels (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg ha-1) were used along with and without phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB). Different levels of (P) and (PSB) showed significant effects on all growth parameters except days to emergence. The interaction effect of the treatments was non-significant for most of the parameters with the exception of days to flowering, seed yield plant-1 and seed yield ha-1. Early flowering (95.4 days), maximum plant height (122.3 cm), minimum days to maturity (132.3), maximum number of umbel plant-1(41.8), number of umbellate umbel-1 (8.5), number of seeds umbellate-1 (8.3), 1000 seed weight (11.4 g) and maximum seed yield ha-1 (1212 kg) were recorded with P @ 40 kg ha-1. Similarly PSB treatment caused early flowering (101.5 days), maximum plant height (114.9 cm), minimum days to maturity (139.5), maximum number of umbel plant-1(36.5), number of umbellate umbel-1 (7), number of seeds umbellate-1 (7.8), 1000 seed weight (10.3 g) and seed yield ha-1 (1105 kg). Thus, phosphorus @ 40 kg ha-1 along with phosphate solubilizing bacteria were found as influencing factors for the studied attributes and, hence can be effectively used for improved growth and higher seed yield of coriander.
Keywords: Bio fertilizer; Coriandrum sativum; Growth; Inorganic fertilizer; Seed yield