Effect of biofertilizers and bioregulators on growth, yield and nutrient status of strawberry cv. Sweet Charlie

Field experiment was conducted to study the response of nitrogen fixing bacteria with chemical fertilizers in conjunction with plant bioregulators on growth, yield and nutrient status of strawberry cv. Sweet Charlie. Nitrogen fixing bacteria and bioregulators were observed to exhibit significant effect on the growth characters in strawberry plants. The maximum growth in terms of plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, crowns/plant and total biomass were observed in the treatment consisting of Azotobacter + Azospirillium + 60 kg N ha−1+ 100 ppm GA3. This treatment also contains highest chlorophyll content in leaves. Highest fruit set, yield and optimum fruit quality was recorded in plants inoculated with Azotobacter and Azospirillum along with 60 kg N ha−1 (50% N of the standard dose) and 100 ppm GA3. The plant nutrient status was much influenced by combined use of biofertilizer and bioregulators. Dual inoculation with Azotobactor and Azospirillum along with 60 kg N ha−1 and 100 ppm GA3application resulted in maximum N and Mg content in plant while the maximum Zn content was obtained in dual inoculation along with 90 kg N ha−1 and 100 ppm GA3. However, maximum K content was recorded with 100 ppm BA treatment alone.