APPLICATION OF NITROGEN COMBINED WITH TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM IN SUGAR APPLE AND CUSTARD APPLE SEEDLINGS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32404/rean.v13i1.10221Keywords:
Annona squamosa L., Annona reticulata L., Trichoderma spp., BioinputsAbstract
This study aimed to evaluate the growth-promoting potential of Trichoderma harzianum in sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.) and custard apple (Annona reticulata L.) seedlings. The seedlings were subjected to different nitrogen rates combined with Trichoderma application strategies. The design used was a randomized complete block, with a 3 × 5 factorial arrangement of Trichoderma application strategy and nitrogen rates, and three replications. The Trichoderma application strategy included: S1 – control (no application); S2 – IBLF 006 WP applied at planting; and S3 – IBLF 006 WP applied at planting and again 30 days after seedling emergence. Evaluated variables included relative chlorophyll index (RCI), chlorophyll a (Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b), plant height (PH), number of leaves (NL), shoot fresh mass (SFM), and shoot dry mass (SDM). In sugar apple, Trichoderma increased shoot dry mass by 29.4% (S2) and 16.8% (S3) in the absence of nitrogen of fertilization and promoted greater plant height at low rates (0–25 kg ha-¹). In custard apple, S3 resulted in higher fresh and dry shoot biomass, particularly at low (0–25 kg ha-¹ N) and high (75–100 kg ha-¹ N) nitrogen rates. The application of strain IBLF 006 (Trichoderma harzianum) is not recommended for the production of sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.) and custard apple (Annona reticulata L.) seedlings, either alone or in combination with different nitrogen rates, as the observed benefits were limited and inconsistent. Therefore, under the experimental conditions, a nitrogen rate of 100 kg ha-¹ provided the best overall results and is recommended for nursery seedling production.
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