Influence of different strains of bio-inoculants on relative growth rate of blue pine and Himalayan cypress under temperate nursery conditions

A pot experiment was carried out during 2009-2010 to study the impact of bio-inoculants on relative growth rate of Blue pine (Pinus wallichiana A.B. Jackson) and Himalayan cypress (Cupressus torulosa Don) under temperate nursery conditions. The experiment was laid in Completely Randomized Design with three replications which comprised forty-two treatment combinations of seven inoculants (Azotobacter sp., Azospirillum sp., Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis, Pisolithus tinctorius, Laccaria laccata and control).The growth character viz., relative growth rate at various intervals responded significantly to all the bio- inoculants. Among bio- inoculants the two mycorrhizae viz., Pisolithus tinctorius and Laccaria laccata proved best for the relative growth rate parameter than rest of the inoculants. It was followed by Azotobacter sp., Azospirillum sp., Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis. Moreover, there was a significant increase in relative growth rate of Himalayan cypress than Blue pine by the application of different strains of bio- inoculants.