Response of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients in Rose

The experiment was conducted to partially substitute the chemical fertilizers (CF) by farmyard manure (FYM) and poultry manure (PM) in combination with Azotobacter or phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) in rose. Treatments consisted of T0 (control), T1 (full dose of NPK at 50, 40, 30 g/m2 by chemical fertilizers), T2 (4 kg FYM containing 0.6, 0.5, 0.6% NPK + remaining required dose of NPK by CF), T3 (T2 + Azotobacter), T4 (T2 + PSB), T5 (2 kg PM containing 1.0, 1.4, 0.8% NPK + remaining required dose of NPK by CF), T6 (T5 + Azotobacter) and T7 (T5 + PSB). All the growth and flowering parameters were significantly influenced by the treatments. Maximum number of leaves and first-order lateral shoots/plant and length of shoot were recorded under T1 (full dose of NPK by CF) which were at par with T3 treatment. T1 treatment also conspicuously increased weight of 20 leaves and leaf area followed by T4 and T3 treatments. Fresh and dry weight of flowers during first flush increased due to T1 treatment. However, T1 treatment strikingly delayed flowering. Maximum number and weight of flowers were recorded under T1 treatment which was at par with T3 treatment. Poorest plant growth and lowest flower yield were observed under control. In general, T3 (4 kg FYM + remaining required dose of NPK by CF + Azotobacter) found beneficial in terms of better plant growth and flower yield than other treatments except T1. However, no significant difference among T1 and T3 treatments was observed on various growth parameters and yield of flowers. By using this combination half dose of chemical fertilizers can be saved.