This document provides an overview of a seminar on bio-inoculants and their utility in commercial flower production. It begins with an introduction to the topic and an outline of what will be covered. It then discusses the types of bio-inoculants including rhizobium, azotobacter, azospirillum, phosphate solubilizing microorganisms, vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae, and their roles and benefits. Several studies on the effects of various bio-inoculants on the growth and yield of different flower crops are summarized. The document concludes with tables showing biofertilizer production data in India from 2011-2015.

1. 1
WELCOME

2. “Bio-inoculants and their utility in
Commercial Flower Production”
SEMINAR ON

3.  Introduction
 Types of bio-inoculants
 Role of bio-inoculants
 Benefits of bio-inoculants
 Review of literature…
 Conclusion
 Future thrust
3 3

4. INTRODUCTION
 Flowers are grown since ancient times and they are
important for aesthetic, social and economic
considerations.
 Flowers are symbolized for purity, beauty, peace, love,
passion and also provide excellent appearance in outdoor
and indoor decorations.
4

5.  Different agro-techniques play an important role in
growth and development of various flower crops, among
them nutrition is one of the most important aspects which
directly influences the flower yield and quality.
 Flowers grown by organic methods have longer vase life.
 For edible flowers which are used in drinks, jellies,
salads, soups, syrups and many other dishes should be
grown organically, no chemical fertilizers should be
used.
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6.  India is the third largest producer and consumer of fertilizers in the
world (after China and USA) accounting for 12% of world
production of N & P nutrients and 12.6% of world consumption of
NPK nutrients.
 Fertilizers supply essential plant nutrients, mainly Nitrogen(N),
Potash (K) and Phosphorous (P).
 use of more chemical fertilizers has left our soils degraded,
polluted, less productive and posed severe health hazards.
6

7. Need for bio fertilizers
 Use of chemical fertilizers leads to the pollution and
contamination of soil
 Demand is much higher than the availability
 Energy crisis and increasing cost of fertilizers
 Bio fertilizers are economical, eco-friendly, more
efficient, productive and accessible to marginal and
small farmers
7

8.  Biofertilizers (living fertilizer) are a mixture of micro
organisms which are capable of mobilizing nutritive
elements through biological process.
 They are also called as Bio-inoculants.
 Biofertilizers can be supplement to chemical fertilizers.
They contribute plant nutrients through N2 fixation,
phosphate solubilization, maintenance of soil reaction
and improvement of soil fertility. 8
Bio-inoculants or Biofertilizers

9.  Biofertilizers are effective strains of micro-organisms like
bacteria, algae, fungi alone or in combination.
 In commercial scale, biofertilizers are available in the form of
Rhizobium , Azotobacter , Azospirillum , Azolla, Blue Green
Algae (BGA), Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) and
Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms (PSM).
9

10.  When microorganisms are incorporated in soil, they
increase crop production by Biological Nitrogen Fixation,
solubilization of fixed phosphate, mobilizing unavailable
Potash & other mineral nutrients.
 They also increase synthesis of growth promoting
substances such as auxins and gibberellins etc.
10

11. Biofertilizers Contribution
Rhizobium Fixes 50-200 kg N/ha. Increases yield by 10 – 30%.
Azotobacter Fixes 20-25 kg N/ha. Increase by yield10-15%.
Azospirillum Fixes 20-40 kg N/ha. Increases yield by 10-20%.
Phosphate
Solubilizers
Increases yield by 5-30%.
Blue Green
Algae {BGA}
Fixes20-30 kg N/ha.
Azolla Fixes 40-80 kg N/ha.
VAM Increases yield by 30-50%. enhances uptake of P, Zn,
S and Water.
11
Common microorganisms as Bio-
fertilizers

12.  The name Rhizobium was established by Frank
in 1889.
 It is symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacterial.
 This genus has seven distinct species based on
"Cross Inoculation Group Concept".
12
Rhizobium

13. Types of Rhizobia
1.Fast growing rhizobia is called Rhizobium
2.Slow growing rhizobia is called Bradyrhizobium
13

14. Isolated and described by Beijerinck in
1901.
Azotobacter is a free-living aerobic nitrogen
fixing bacterium.
It is used as a Bio-Fertilizer for all non
leguminous plants especially rice, cotton,
vegetables and flower crops.
Important species are
1. Azotobacter chrococcum
2. Azotobacter beijerinckii.
14
Azotobacter

15. 15
Used in crops:-
Food Crops, Oil Seeds, Vegetables, Fruits, Flowers like
marigold, rose, gladiolus, chrysanthemum and dahlia.
It Promotes synthesis of growth substances like auxins,
gibberellins and vitamins,

16. AZOTOBACTER
Contribute 20-
25kg N / ha
Enhance
Seed
germination
Produce
Antibiotics
Produce
growth
promoting
substances
Stimulate soil
micro
organisms
Phosphate
solubilization
Fungicidal
property
N2
Fixation
BENEFITS OFAZOTOBACTER
16

17.  Azospirillum was identified by Beijerinck.
 It is first named as Spirillum lipeferum
(Dobrienier) in 1975.
Important species are
1. Azospirillum lipoferum
2. . Azospirillum brasilense
17
Azospirillium

18. Functions:
 Production of growth promoting substances
 Increase yield 10-20 %.
 Increase vegetative growth and root development.
 Increases uptake of mineral and water.
 Secretes certain phytohormones like
GA3, IAA, IBA, Cytokinins etc…
Used in crops:
 Food Crops, Oil Seeds, Vegetables, Fruits, Flowers like
marigold, rose, tuberose, gladiolus, chrysanthemum and
dahlia. 18

19. AZOLLA
Azolla is a free-floating water fern.
It is regarded as “Live Nitrogen Manufacturing
Factory” because, it harbors nitrogen fixing
Cyanobacteria (Anabaena azollae).
Important species are
 Azolla pinnata
 Azolla nilotica
 Azolla mexicana
19

20. PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING MICROORGANISMS
• Many bacteria belonging to Bacillus, Pseudomonas
Micrococcus and Streptomyces and fungi belonging to
Aspergillus, Penicillium and Trichoderma efficiently
solubilize insoluble phosphate of rock phosphate
groups.
• These organisms secrete organic acids that
solubilize insoluble phosphorus added to the soil.
20

21. Types of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria
Spore Rod shape
Rod shape FlagellaPigmentation
Colony
BACILLUS
PSEUDOMONAS
Phosphate Solubilizing Fungi
Aspergillus awamori Aspergillus colony Penicillium Trichoderma viridi
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22. VESICULAR ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAE (VAM)
 The term mycorrhiza was taken from Greek language meaning
'fungus root'.
 This term was coined by Frank in 1885.
 VAM is an endotrophic (live inside) mycorrhiza formed by the
fungi.
 VAM help in nutrient transfer mainly of phosphorus, zinc and
sulfur.
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23.  It also mobilize Cu, K, Al, Mn, Fe and Mg from the soil
to the plant roots.
 Species :-
• Glomus fasciculatum
• Gigaspora nigra.
• Sclerocystis clavispora.
• Endogene increseta.
23

24.  Functions :-
• Promotes more uniform crop, increases growth and
yield.
• Reduces stunting on fumigated soil.
• VAM increases root surface and improve plant water
uptake in arid Areas.
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Without fungi With fungi

26. MECHANISM
 The VAM forms an association with plant roots.
 As the name indicates, they posses sac like structure
called vesicules which stores food materials.
 The other structure called arbuscule helps bringing the
distant nutrients to the vesicules and root.
26

27. Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR)
 The group of bacteria that colonize roots or rhizosphere soil and
beneficial to crops are referred to as plant growth promoting
rhizobacteria (PGPR).
 Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) colonise plant roots
and stimulate plant growth.
 Species of Pseudomonas and Bacillus can produce well
characterized phytohormones or growth regulators 27

28. ROLE OF BIOFERTILIZERS
 Contribute plant nutrients through biological
nitrogen fixation and solubilization of fixed
phosphate.
 Cheaper in cost and reduce chemical fertilizer
consumption.
 Provide atmospheric nitrogen directly to the plants.
 Release of vitamins, hormones like auxins and
gibberellins etc. 28

29.  Increases 10-20 per cent of crop yield.
 Controls and suppress soil borne diseases.
 Improve soil properties and sustain soil fertility.
 Convert plant nutrients in available form.
 They are eco- friendly and pollution free.
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30. PRECAUTIONS IN THE USE OF BIOFERTILIZERS
 Biofertilizers should be in good quality which
containing minimum 107/gm viable microbial count.
 Preserve the biofertilizers away from sunlight, heat and
moisture.
 Store them in cool and dry place at room temperature of
25-280C.
 Chemical fertilizers and biofertilizers should not be
applied together as there are possibilities of the
microorganisms being killed by them. 30

31.  Use only packets or bottles on which batch no, name of
manufacturer and expiry date is mentioned.
 Do not mix biofertilizer in warm or hot water.
 Seed coated with biofertilizers should not be treated
with fungicides and pesticides.
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32. Sl. Method of
Application
Crops Dose/Acre Water Ratio BF
& water
1 Seed
application
All crops sown through
seeds
200g 400 ml 1:2
2 Setts treatment Setts of sugarcane , base
of banana suckers
1 or 2kg 50 -100
litres
1:50
3 Seedling
method
Rice, tomato, chilly,
cabbage, cauliflower &
flower crops
1 kg 10 litre 1:10
4 Soil application All crops 2 kg for
wetting
***
32
Methods for application of bio-fertilizers
BF – Biofertilizers

33. S.No State Production of biofertilizers in MT ( Metric Ton )
during years
2011 - 12 2012 - 13 2013 - 14 2014 - 15
1. Andhra Pradesh 1126.35 1335.74 2714.22 2668.80
2. Karnataka 5760.32 7683.72 9907.33 16462.62
3. Tamil Nadu 3373.81 11575.7 14104.83 15373.29
4. Uttar Pradesh 8695.08 1310.02 2862.221 4099.06
5. Himachal Pradesh 1.29 0 26.147 0.768
6. Kerala 904.17 1045.64 3520.66 4916.97
7. Delhi 1617.00 0 396 104.50
33
Bio fertilizer production in India during the period from
2011 - 12 to 2014-15
Source: Compiled by NCOF (Data as provided by Production Units / State
Govt)

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Table : 1 Effect of biofertilizers on growth and yield of gaillardia
Treatments
Plant
height
(cm)
No. of
branches/
plant
Flower
yield per
plant (g)
Flower
yield
(q/ha)
T1 Control 37.20 26.13 68.40 42.75
T2 RDF @ 100:50:50 NPK kg/ha. 46.47 38.44 139.67 87.29
T3 75% RDF 42.17 36.27 108.01 67.50
T4 75% RDF + Azospirillum + PSB 45.80 41.00 142.57 89.11
T5 75% RDF + Azospirillum + VAM 44.83 38.27 125.97 78.73
T6 75% RDF + Azotobacter + PSB 45.10 38.27 124.36 77.72
T7 75% RDF + Azotobacter + VAM 45.13 38.43 127.74 79.84
Rathod et al., 2002
RDF : Recommonded Dose of Fertilizer

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Parmar (2006)

38. 38
Table : 2 Effect of biofertilizers and nitrogenous fertilizer on growth,
quality and yield of gaillardia cv. Local
Treatments
Plant height
(cm)
Diameter
of flowers
(cm)
Yield of flowers
g/plant t/ha
T1 : 0 kg N/ha + Azospirillum 57.53 5.62 240.00 17.78
T2 : 50 kg N/ha + Azospirillum 59.13 6.12 271.85 20.14
T3 : 75 kg N/ha + Azospirillum 65.10 6.90 316.42 23.14
T4 : 0 kg N/ha + Azotobacter 58.59 6.22 252.80 18.73
T5 : 50 kg N/ha + Azotobacter 60.30 6.07 278.58 20.63
T6 : 75 kg N/ha + Azotobacter 66.07 6.67 320.50 23.74
T7 : 0 kg N/ha + Azospirillum + Azotobacter 58.13 5.77 258.78 19.17
T8 : 50 kg N/ha + Azospirillum + Azotobacter 72.07 7.52 353.00 26.14
T9 : 75 kg N/ha + Azospirillum + Azotobacter 70.83 7.31 332.00 24.59
T10 : Recommended dose 100 kg N/ha as
control
62.57 5.90 292.13 21.64
Parmar (2006)

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40. Effect of different combinations of biofertilizer on
growth and yield of African marigold cv. Pusa
Narangi gainda
Mathew and Singh (2003)
40

41. 41
Treatments
Plant
height (cm)
One flower
wt. (g)
No. of Flowers
/ plant
Flower yield
(t/ha)
T1 Control 76.32 10.13 24.39 15.44
T2 PSB 80.15 12.32 25.42 19.56
T3 PSB + Azotobacter 81.29 12.84 25.96 20.84
T4 PSB + Azospirillum 82.32 13.41 26.48 22.20
T5 PSB + Azospirillum +Azotobacter 85.62 14.28 27.92 25.01
Mathew and Singh (2003)
Table : 3 Effect of different combinations of biofertilizer on growth and yield
of African marigold cv. Pusa Narangi gainda
47
PSB , Azotobacter , Azospirillum – 2kg / ha.

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Effect of biofertilizers and chemical nitrogenous
fertilizer on growth, quality and yield of African
marigold cv. Local
Suthar (2005)

43. 43
Treatments
Plant height
(cm)
No. of branches per
plant
Flower diameter
(cm)
Flower yield
per ha (t)
T1 : Control (150 kg N/ha.) 98.56 17.00 6.09 8.97
T2 : 0 kg N/ha. + Azospirillum 94.20 14.66 5.32 8.51
T3 : 50 kg N/ha. + Azospirillum 95.96 16.66 6.25 9.19
T4 : 100 kg N/ha. + Azospirillum 99.10 19.66 6.57 9.43
T5 : 150 kg N/ha. + Azospirillum 104.30 23.00 6.73 10.51
T6 : 0 kg N/ha. + Azotobacter 94.63 15.00 5.52 8.60
T7 : 50 kg N/ha. + Azotobacter 96.00 17.33 6.40 9.23
T8 : 100 kg N/ha + Azotobacter 100.80 21.00 6.82 9.79
T9 : 150 kg N/ha. + Azotobacter 105.23 23.33 6.90 10.71
T10 : 0 kg N/ha. + Azospirillum + Azotobacter 94.76 15.33 5.82 8.85
T11 : 50 kg N/ha. + Azospirillum + Azotobacter 102.63 18.33 6.67 9.40
T12 : 100 kg N/ha. + Azospirillum + Azotobacter 113.03 27.66 7.58 12.03
T13 : 150 kg N/ha. + Azospirillum + Azotobacter 110.80 25.00 7.31 11.86
Suthar (2005)
Table : 4 Effect of biofertilizers and chemical nitrogenous fertilizer on growth,
quality and yield of African marigold cv. Local

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45. Effect of biofertilizers and nitrogenous fertilizers on
growth and yield of China aster cv. Poornima
Panchal (2006)
45

46. 46
Table : 5 Effect of biofertilizers and nitrogenous fertilizers on growth and
yield of China aster cv. Poornima
Treatments
Plant height
(cm
Number of
flowers per
plant
Flower Yield
Per plant
(g)
Per ha
(t)
T1 0kg N/ha + Azospirillum 30.92 15.87 25.00 2.78
T2 60kg N/ha + Azospirillum 38.60 23.67 39.62 4.40
T3 90kg N/ha + Azospirillum 43.28 26.53 61.65 6.85
T4 0 kg N/ha + Azotobacter 36.21 17.85 32.25 3.59
T5 60kg N/ha + Azotobacter 41.29 24.20 45.53 5.06
T6 90kg N/ha + Azotobacter 44.59 27.53 68.27 7.59
T7 0kg N/ha + Azospirillum + Azotobacter 43.11 29.20 68.60 7.60
T8 60kg N/ha + Azospirillum + Azotobacter 46.97 30.47 78.28 8.69
T9 90kg N/ha + Azospirillum + Azotobacter 60.76 36.73 99.07 11.00
T10 Recommended dose @120 kg N/ha as a control 46.65 30.67 70.66 7.85
Panchal (2006)

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Table : 6 Effect of biofertilizers and nitrogenous fertilizers on quality of
China aster cv. Poornima
Treatments
Diameter of flower
(cm)
Vase life (days)
T1 0kg N/ha + Azospirillum 5.34 7.40
T2 60kg N/ha + Azospirillum 6.22 7.73
T3 90kg N/ha + Azospirillum 6.65 8.06
T4 0 kg N/ha + Azotobacter 5.98 7.66
T5 60kg N/ha + Azotobacter 6.42 8.06
T6 90kg N/ha + Azotobacter 6.75 8.13
T7 0 kg N/ha + Azospirillum +Azotobacter 5.60 7.73
T8 60kg N/ha + Azospirillum + Azotobacter 6.75 9.73
T9 90kg N/ha + Azospirillum + Azotobacter 7.52 11.20
T10 Recommended dose @120 kg N/ha as a
control
6.45 8.13
Panchal (2006)

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49. 49
Chauhan (2005)
Effect of biofertilizers and chemical
nitrogenous fertilizer on growth, yield and
quality of chrysanthemum

50. 50
Treatments
Plant
height
(cm)
Flower
yield
(t/ha)
Vase
life
(days)
Keeping
life without
pedicel
(days)
Keeping
life with
pedicel
(days)
T1 : 200 kg N/ha (control) 63.47 9.66 12.03 6.68 10.35
T2 : 200 kg N/ha + Azotobacter 65.50 9.94 11.91 6.62 10.14
T3 : 175 kg N/ha + Azotobacter 61.27 9.42 12.40 6.73 10.58
T4 : 150 kg N/ha + Azotobacter 60.00 9.22 13.72 7.51 11.70
T5 : 200 kg N/ha + Azospirillum 65.70 9.81 11.74 6.61 10.15
T6 : 175 kg N/ha + Azospirillum 61.90 9.60 12.38 6.74 10.40
T7 : 150 kg N/ha + Azospirillum 59.60 5.91 11.37 6.21 8.48
T8 : 200 kg N/ha + Azotobacter + Azospirillum 68.70 10.84 11.40 6.24 8.50
T9 : 175 kg N/ha + Azotobacter +
Azospirillum
70.93 11.76 13.90 7.72 12.00
T10 : 150 kg N/ha + Azotobacter + Azospirillum 60.73 9.02 12.40 7.30 11.58
Table : 7 Effect of biofertilizers and chemical nitrogenous fertilizer on
growth, yield and quality of chrysanthemum
Chauhan (2005)

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FUTURE THRUST
• Identification and isolation of efficient strains of
biofertilizers for flower crops.
• Strains that increase N2 fixing ability should be
identified and selected.
• Recommendations regarding type of inoculums, time, dose and
mode of application are needed to be specified and standardized.

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 Financial and technical support.
 Establishment of new RBD’c (Regional Biofertilizers
Development Centers).
 Encouragement to private sectors, Volunteers
organization for production, distribution and marketing.
 Publicity programmes through mass media.
 To bring all production units under control of DAC
(Department of Agriculture and Co-operation).
 Training for farmers, extension workers, producers and traders
on various aspects of technology.
GOVT. STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTION OF
BIOFERTILIZER PRODUCTION

53. CONCLUSION
 With the changing scenario of Indian floriculture, the
biofertilizers play an important role in modern
technology through nitrogen fixation, phosphate
solubilization and decomposition of organic matter.
 The response of biofertilizers varies with flower species.
The application of biofertilizers like Azotobacter,
Azospirillum and PSM @ 2-3 kg/ha. and VAM @
2g/plant and it’s combination found effective.
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