Effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and different fertilizer combinations on yield and quality properties in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis)

Research has been increasingly focusing on the preservation of the biodiversity of vegetable crops under sustainable farming management. An experiment was carried out in southern Italy on Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis, landrace Gigante di Napoli, to assess the effects of two transplanting times (9 September and 7 October), in factorial combination with five nitrogen–potassium ratios (0.6; 0.8; 1.0; 1.2; and 1.4) on plant growth, yield, and quality of cauliflower heads. A split-plot design was used for the treatment distribution in the field, with three replications. The earlier transplant and the 1.2 N:K ratio led to the highest yield, mean weight, and firmness of cauliflower heads which were not significantly affected by both transplanting time and N:K ratio in terms of colour components. The 1.2 N:K ratio led to the highest head diameter with the earlier transplant, whereas the 1.0 ratio was the most effective on this parameter in the later crop cycle. The highest nitrate, nitrogen, and potassium concentrations in the heads were recorded with the earlier transplanting time. Antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid, and polyphenol content increased with the rise of the N:K ratio. The element use efficiency was constantly negative with the N:K increase for nitrogen and was augmented until the 1.2 ratio for potassium. The results of our investigation showed that the optimal combination between transplanting time and N:K ratio is a key aspect to improve head yield and quality of the cauliflower landrace Gigante di Napoli, under the perspective of biodiversity safeguarding and valorisation.

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Combined Application of Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen and Seed Inoculation with Rhizobacteria (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia FA-9) Improved Productivity, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, and Economic Returns of Pearl Millet

Dawood

Majeed

Ul‐Allah

et al. 2023

Sustainability

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Nitrogen (N) availability and soil microbiota exert significant impacts on plant metabolic systems and yield. Different studies have indicated that yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.R.Br.) can be improved by the inoculation of N-fixing bacteria. However, the interactive effects of different N sources and bacteria inoculation on growth, productivity, and NUE of pearl millet have been less explored. Therefore, individual and interactive effects of different N sources (organic and inorganic) and bacteria inoculation on growth, productivity, and NUE of pearl millet were investigated in this study. Two different N sources, i.e., organic (farmyard manure) and inorganic (urea) alone or in 50% + 50% combinations (urea + FYM), were used to supply the recommended amount of N. Similarly, seeds were inoculated with two different N-fixing bacteria, i.e., endobacteria (Enterobacter sp. MN17) and rhizobacteria (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia FA-9). Urea + farmyard manure (FYM) and seed inoculation rhizobacteria improved soil attributes, yield-related traits, grain quality, NUE, and net economic returns. Soil porosity was significantly improved by seed inoculation with both bacteria and FYM application. Similarly, seed inoculation with rhizobacteria increased soil organic carbon by 45.45% and 34.88% during the 1st and 2nd year of the study, respectively. Urea + FYM application combined with rhizobacteria seed inoculation improved the number of grains per ear (23.49 and 23.63%), 1000-grain weight (5.76% and 7.85%), grain yield (23.19% and 25.0%), and NUE (33.83 and 48.15%). Similarly, grain quality was significantly improved by seed inoculation with both bacteria. Likewise, urea + FYM combined with rhizobacteria improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by 33.83% and 48.15% in 2020 and 2021, respectively, compared to no N application and no seed inoculation. The highest economic returns (1506.4 and 1506.9 USD) were noted for urea + FYM application combined with rhizobacteria seed inoculation. Therefore, urea + FYM application combined with rhizobacteria (S. maltophilia FA-9) seed inoculation seemed a viable approach to improve grain yield, grain quality, NUE, and net economic returns of pearl millet.

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Effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and different fertilizer combinations on yield and quality properties in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis)

Cited by 3 publications

References 34 publications

Bacillus subtilis-Mediated Induction of Disease Resistance and Promotion of Plant Growth of Vegetable Crops

Bacillus subtilis-Mediated Induction of Disease Resistance and Promotion of Plant Growth of Vegetable Crops

Effect of Transplanting Time and Nitrogen–Potassium Ratio on Yield, Growth, and Quality of Cauliflower Landrace Gigante di Napoli in Southern Italy

Combined Application of Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen and Seed Inoculation with Rhizobacteria (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia FA-9) Improved Productivity, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, and Economic Returns of Pearl Millet

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