Effect of foliar spray of chemical stimulants, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and salinity on media and nutrient content in Dendrobium

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of foliar spray of chemical stimulants, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and salinity on media and plant nutrient content in Dendrobium. The experiment was carried out in naturally ventilated poly house at Greenhouse complex, Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, ACH, NAU, Navsari. Two layers of coconut husk as a growing media were arranged properly on a wire net fixed on benches for planting. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized block design with factorial concept, comprising of twenty-eight treatment combinations and repeated thrice. The results revealed that maximum nutrient content in plant viz. nitrogen (%), phosphorus (%) and potassium (%) and lowest media EC were recorded significantly with the individual application of 0.25 dsm-1 EC of water as well as salicylic acid @ 50 ppm. However, salinity and foliar spray failed to show any significant effect individually on media pH. Interaction effect of salinity and foliar spray of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and chemical stimulants did not show any significant effect on media and plant nutrient attributes.