A Note on the Effect of Some Biofertilizers and Compost on Growth and Flowering of Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus)

Abstract

The objective of the research was to study the effect of some biofertilizers and compost on growth and flowering of Gerbera. The fertilizers applied were nitrogen fixing bacteria (Rhizobium sp.) (Bio.1), phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (Bacillus megatherium var. phosphaticum) (Bio.2), potassium solubilizing bacteria (Bacillus circulans) ( Bio.3), combination between Bio.1 , Bio.2 and Bio.3 (Bio.4) and compost at the rate of rate of 8.1g of fertilizer/9kg of soil. Results showed that gerbera responded positively to biofertilizer and compost application. All treatments, except Bio2, gave significantly higher values of plant height compared to the control. Compost gave significantly (P ≤ 0.05) the highest number of leaves/plant compared to the control. With regard to leaf length, all treatments except Bio3 were significantly superior to the control. Although the differences between the treatments were not significant, the control showed the earliest flowering while compost and Bio2 resulted in the latest flowering. Bio.4 gave significantly the highest number of inflorescences/plant and inflorescence diameter  compared to the control.