Germination and Initial Development of Calendula Officinallis as a Function of Seed Treatment with Promoter Bacteria

Abstract

Objective: The study aims to evaluate the agronomic efficiency of different dosages and modes of application of inoculants based on Bacillus subtilis, Azospirillum brasilense, and Pseudomonas fluorescens in marigold plants, focusing on seed germination aspects and initial plant development.   Method: The research was conducted in two stages, including seed germination tests in the laboratory and evaluation of plant development in the field. Treatments were applied at different dosages and modes of application, with appropriate experimental design and statistical analysis of the data.   Research results and discussions: The results demonstrate that inoculation with growth-promoting microorganisms positively influenced the shoot length, root length, number of flowers, and fresh flower mass of marigold plants. Application of Bacillus subtilis yielded the best results in various variables, while the combination of seed treatment and foliar application provided the best results in fresh and dry root mass. The interaction between growth promoters and application modes also influenced the chlorophyll content of the plant leaves.   Research implications: The results indicate that inoculation with the studied microorganisms may be a viable alternative to enhance the agronomic performance of marigold, providing benefits such as increased fresh flower mass, flower quantity, and root length. This suggests the potential of these microorganisms as biological agents for plant growth promotion.   Originality/Value: This study contributes to the understanding of the agronomic effectiveness of different growth-promoting microorganisms in marigold plants, highlighting the importance of bacterial inoculation in plant development and providing insights for more sustainable agricultural practices.