Effect of Some Biofertilizers and Humic Acid Application on Olive Seedlings Growth under Irrigation with Saline Water

Abstract

The present study was conducted to examine the effect of humic acid concentration (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 ml/L) and some of biofertilization treatments (control, Azotobacter chroococcum, Mycorrhizae (Glomus macrocarbium) and mix of Azotobacter chroococcum + Mycorrhizae on olive seedling which grown under three levels of saline water (2000, 3000 and 4000 ppm). this experiment was carried out during two successive seasons (2015 and 2016) on Olive seedlings Picual cultivars grown in El-Sheikh Zuwayid station, Desert Research Center North Sinai governorate, Egypt. Based on growth parameters data showed that salinity level (2000ppm) produced the highest significant parameters of the olive seedling; for seedling height, trunk diameter, Branch number., Leaf number., leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, and also the fresh and dry weight of shoot and root system. The lowest values were recorded for salinity level (4000 ppm through the two seasons. Salinity level at 2000 ppm gives the chance of growing plant to complete all of its physiological processes at a proper time than that of high concentration. Highest salinity concentration 4000 ppm caused a decline in all the studied parameters throughout both studied seasons. Increasing humic acid levels from 0.5 to 1.5 ml/L % increased significantly all studied parameters when compared with control (0) in the two studied seasons. Application of biofertilization treatments either singly or mixed enhanced growth and plant biomass of olive seedling under different salinity treatment. Mixed two types of biofertilzer had a significant effect on seedling growth than control and one type of biofertilizer treatments. In addition, Macronutrient content in olive seedling leaf positively affected with humic acid concentration and biofertilization treatments. Mixed biofertilization treatment resulted in higher values of soil microbiological properties, i.e. total microbial counts, Azotobacter densities, Mycorrhizal infection percentage, no. of mycorrhizal spores /gm, microbial enzymes in soil (Dehydrogenase, Nitrogenase and Phosphatase). It can be concluded that, to mitigate the negative impact of salinity of olive seedling we recommend to use humic acid (1.5 ml/L%) with the treatment of biofertilizer (Mycorrhiza and Azotobacter chroococcum).

The Role of Microbial Inoculants on Plant Protection, Growth Stimulation, and Crop Productivity of the Olive Tree (Olea europea L.)

“…El-Shazly and Ghieth [53] demonstrated that the interaction of PGPR (Azotobacter chroococcum) and AMF (Glomus macrocarbium), combined with the application of humic acid, reduced the negative impact of salinity. The combined treatment showed higher values of total microbial counts, bacterial densities, AMF infection percentage, and soil enzymatic activity.…”

Multifaceted Ability of Organic Fertilizers to Improve Crop Productivity and Abiotic Stress Tolerance: Review and Perspectives

“…Souza et al [184] noted that organic manure application reduced the effects of salt stress and improved the growth, side branches, and yield of yellow passion fruit. Further, El-Shazly et al [185] found that the application of organic manure to olive and papaya plants improved the growth and biomass productivity, osmotic adjustments between the root and soil, and microbial activities of soil to mitigate the effects of salt stress [185].…”

Biofertilizers, types, Benefits and their role in improving the growth of fruit trees and vegetative plants (Review)

“…Adding Azotobacter chroococcum and Glomus macrocarbium to olive seedlings (Picual) significantly affected the height of seedlings, the diameter of their stems, the number of branches and leaves, the area and dry weight and wet weight of the branches, as well as a significant increase in the leaf content of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, according to [ 62 ] .…”