Effect of Biofertilizer on Growth, Yield and Bioactive Component of Plumbago zeylanica (Lead Wort)

Abstract

A comparative study on effect of chemical fertilizer and biofertiliser on Plumbago zeylanica for growth, yield and bioactive component was conducted at Bardoli (district-Surat), India between 2012 and 2013 using Random Block Design method and monthly observation of growth parameters. Application of biofertiliser Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Phosphate solubilizing Bacteria and mixture of Aza + Azo + PSB increased plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, length of root, fresh weight, dry weight and bioactive component (plumbagin). Highest effect on height (91.33±10.13) of plant was obtained with PSB applied biofertiliser whereas the number of branches (14.67±0.47) and number of leaves (25.60±13.17) was obtained with Azospirillum biofertilizer application. The length PSB (33.33±1.32), fresh weight (26.44±1.32) and dry weight of roots (24.66±1.13) was realized with application of mixture of Aza + Azo + PSB. The bioactive component (plumbagin) was high with application of Azospirillum (0.026%w/w) using HPLC. The results of this study suggest that biofertiliser have the potential to increase the growth, yield and bioactive component of Plumbago zeylanica.