Effect of bio-regulators and bio-fertilizers on growth of garlic (Allium sativum L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Horticulture Farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner (Jaipur) during Rabi season 2016-17 and 2017-2018. The experiment consisting four bio-fertilizers (control, Azotobacter, PGPR (Pseudomonas) and Azotobacter + PGPR (Pseudomonas) and five bio-regulators (control, Thiourea @ 500 ppm, Thiourea @ 1000 ppm, salicylic acid @ 100 ppm and mepiquat chloride @ 100 ppm). The total 20 treatment combinations were tested in split-plot design with three replications. It was observed that the application of bio-fertilizers Azotobacter + PGPR (Pseudomonas) significantly increased the plant height at 45 DAP and at harvest, number of leaves per plant, chlorophyll content in leaves, fresh weight of leaves at 30, 45 and 60 DAP, leaf area at 45 DAP, dry weight of leaves at 30, 45 and 60 DAP, crop growth rate at 30-45 and 45-60 DAP and dry matter accumulation as compared to control. The results of the study clearly indicated that foliar application of thiourea @ 1000 ppm to the garlic crop significantly increased the plant height, number of leaves per plant, chlorophyll content in leaves, fresh weight of leaves, leaf area, dry weight of leaves, crop growth rate and dry matter accumulation, being statistically at par with application of thiourea @ 500 ppm and salicylic acid @ 100 ppm.