Effect of biofertilizers on seedling growth of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) cv. D x T

Abstract

The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera L.), Kalpavriksha (the tree of heaven) is a most important tropical plant from the palm family grown primarily for its fruit, coconuts. Generally, maintenance of senile coconut plantations with handling of improper genetic materials has largely contributed to low productivity of coconut plantations. One of the main reasons for this high motility rate of seedling is low vigour, especially less developed root and shoots system. Under this condition, rehabilitation of coconut plantations with quality seedlings needs to be promoted and to maintain a proper coconut plantation, high quality coconut seedlings must be used as it helps to establish a healthy and uniform plantation. Incorporation of biofertilizers with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi, which compete with each other during the nursery period and may actually exude toxins and antibiotics to protect from diseases and root feeding nematodes and provided healthy seedling. This paper give us an information regarding role of biofertilizer in development of healthy and vigorous coconut seedling. In this study, total seven treatments were evaluated including control. Total ten observations were recorded and calculated Seedling Quality Index (SQI). These finding suggested that use of of Azotobacter 1×108 + PSM 1×108+ Arbuscular Mycorrhiza 3000 IP/gm (100 ml + 100 ml + 100 g/10 l water) or PSM 1×108 (100 ml/10 l water) or Arbuscular Mycorrhiza 3000 IP/gm (100 g/10 l water) during nursery stage gave healthy and vigorous seedling of coconut.