Biological Amendments on Growth, Nutritional Quality, and Yield of Celery

Abstract

Soil nutrients can decrease during organic production of celery (Apium graveolens L.) transplants. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known to promote plant nutrition and growth. Hence, a study was carried out to determine the potential of AMF [Funneliformis mosseae (Nicol. and Gerd.) Walker and Schüβler and Acaulospora laevis Gerd. and Trappe], used alone or in combination with the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens and/or the nonmycorrhizal fungus Trichoderma viride Pers. on celery in a greenhouse. The objective was to select an efficient AMF, or other growth-promoting microbes, for soil inoculation to improve establishment and growth of celery transplants. Inoculation with a combination of F. mosseae + P. fluorescens produced increased root length and fresh and dry weights, and the best plant height was obtained when all of the bioinoculants were used together. Mycorrhizal root colonization increased when P. fluorescens was used and the combination of F. mosseae + P. fluorescens produced the most colonization. Inoculation with F. mosseae + P. fluorescens increased shoot and root P content and root N content and increased celery yield by increasing leafstalk length. Higher photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, and shoot N content occurred when F. mosseae + A. laevis + P. fluorescens was used, with improved numbers of leafstalks, leaf area, and basal disc diameter. Soil amended with F. mosseae + P. fluorescens and F. mosseae + A. laevis + P. fluorescens at transplanting stage increased production of high-quality celery stalks with better nutrition and reduced fertilizer application.

Keywords:

• Apium graveolens
• Pseudomonas fluorescens
• Trichoderma viride
• AM fungi
• Microbial interaction

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, for providing laboratory facilities and financial assistance.