Bio-Priming with Compatible Rhizospheric Microbes Enhances Growth and Micronutrient Uptake of Red Cabbage

Deepranjan Sarkar, Amitava Rakshit, Hanuman Prasad Parewa, Subhan Danish, Saleh Alfarraj and Rahul Datta
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Deepranjan Sarkar: Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
Amitava Rakshit: Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
Hanuman Prasad Parewa: Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Agriculture University, Jodhpur 342304, India
Subhan Danish: Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Saleh Alfarraj: Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Rahul Datta: Department of Geology and Pedology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, 61300 Brno, Czech Republic

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 4, 1-20

Abstract: Red cabbage is known as the millennium’s functional food, which has a lot of importance in our diet because of the health-promoting ingredients present in it. The current study investigated the synergistic relationship of rhizospheric-competent microbial agents ( Trichoderma harzianum , Pseudomonas fluorescens , and Bacillus subtilis ) in modulating the performance of red cabbage under the field conditions of Middle Gangetic Plains, India. Growth parameters were studied at three developmental stages, viz., pre-cupping, early head formation, and maturity. Our results suggested that the dual application of T . harzianum + P . fluorescens along with the 75% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) increased the number of leaves (24.6), leaf area (537.2 cm 2 ), root length (19.8 cm), and micronutrient uptake (Fe, Mn, and Cu) by head of the crop, whereas the co-inoculation of P . fluorescens and B . subtilis along with 75% RDF enhanced plant spread (39.0 cm), earliness (95.2 days), and Zn uptake. Maximum plant height (28.7 cm) and chlorophyll (SPAD, 77.3) were recorded in 100% RDF (120:60:60 kg ha −1 ) and the combination of T . harzianum + B . subtilis along with 75% RDF, respectively. Interestingly, consortium ( T . harzianum + P . fluorescens ) bio-primed plants recorded about 14% higher root length in comparison to plants receiving sole fertilizers. The regression analysis revealed a significant relationship of Fe and Mn uptake with chlorophyll (SPAD) and between Zn uptake and the earliness of the crop. The present study indicated that seedling bio-priming with the dual consortium of efficient bio-agents is a viable strategy to lessen our dependence on chemical fertilizers for improving red cabbage production.

Keywords: red cabbage; rhizosphere engineering; plant-microbe symbiosis; growth parameters; micronutrient uptake (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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