Flowering, Nutritional Status, and Content of Chloroplast Pigments in Leaves of Gladiolus hybridus L. ‘Advances Red’ after Application of Trichoderma spp.

Abstract

In this study, we attempt to assess the influence of Trichoderma spp. on the flowering and nutritional status of Gladiolus hybridus L. ‘Advances Red’, as well as on the content of chlorophyll a + b and carotenoids in the leaves. During both years of the experiment, there was a treatment in which Trichoderma fungi were not used (control), and in another treatment, plants were treated with these fungi. After five weeks of cultivation, when leaf apexes were visible above the surface of the substrate, each plant was irrigated with a suspension (20 mL) of mix of Trichoderma spp. (T. viride Schumach-Tv14, T. harzianum Rifai-Thr2, T. hamatum/Bonord/Bainier-Th15). The treatment of the plants Trichoderma-spp. improved their uptake of macro- (P, K and Ca) and micronutrients (Zn, Fe and B), and increased the chlorophyll a + b and carotenoids in their leaves. Trichoderma spp. accelerated the flowering of Gladiolus hybridus L. ‘Advances Red’ by 10–14 days. The fungi stimulated the elongation of inflorescence shoots and inflorescences, in which the number of flowers increased, but flower diameter did not change. Trichoderma spp. improved the nutrients uptake, chlorophyll a + b and carotenoids, and flowering; hence, Trichoderma spp. treatment is suggested for enhancing inflorescence and inflorescence shoots in Gladiolus hybridus.

Trichoderma spp. Improves Flowering, Quality, and Nutritional Status of Ornamental Plants

“…Trichoderma isolates are soaked in 20 mL of sterile distilled water and scraped off with a sterile copper rod. The suspension is filtered and the concentration of Trichoderma spores in the mixture is adjusted to a concentration of 10 6 per ml using a haemocytometer and a light microscope [ 56 , 57 , 58 ].…”

“…Research shows that the intensity of root colonization by fungi of the Trichoderma genus varies between species. Andrzejak and Janowska [ 56 ] report that in both years of research, among treatments of Gladiolus hybridus ‘Advances Red’, in which Trichoderma spp. were used, 46.6% and 48.2% of plant roots were colonized by the fungi.…”

“…However, using a higher concentration of the fertilizer causes the plants to flower 7–8 days earlier. Andrzejak and Janowska [ 56 ] write that the earliness of flowering in Gladiolus hybridus ‘Advances Red’ depends solely on whether Trichoderma spp. are used in their cultivation or not.…”

“…In some ornamental plant species, Trichoderma fungi impact flower quality traits, such as the length of the peduncle/shoot and the size of flowers ( Table 2 ). Andrzejak and Janowska [ 56 ] report that, following the application of Trichoderma spp., in Gladiolus hybridus ‘Advances Red’, the inflorescence stems growing out of the tubers were longer (by 9.8%), and they ended in longer inflorescences (by 10.0%) with more flowers developing in them (by 12.6%). However, the diameter of flowers in both years of research was not affected by Trichoderma spp.…”

“…applies to ornamental plants too. Andrzejak and Janowska [ 56 ] report that the content of chlorophyll a+b and carotenoids in the leaves of Gladiolus hybridus ‘Advances Red’ increased significantly following the application of Trichoderma spp. (by 66.7% for chlorophyll a+b and by 33.3% for carotenoids).…”