Impact of IBA and bio-inoculants on growth and rhizogenesis in pomegranate (Punica granatum)

The present experiment was conducted to study the effect of Indole butyric acid (IBA) as alone or in combination with synergetic bio-inoculants i.e. Azotobacter, phosphate solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) and Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (AM fungi) on rhizogenesis, vegetative growth parameters, biomass accumulation and nutrient uptake in hardwood cuttings of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). Fifteen treatments excluding the control (water dipping) treated with IBA and inoculated with bio-inoculants alone or in different combinations were examined. All root and shoot related parameters were significantly improved in the cuttings treated with IBA and inoculated with bio-inoculants treatments. Maximum cuttings survival %, diameter of primary root, fresh and dry root weight, number of primary roots, plant height, number of branches, shoot diameter and shoots fresh weight was observed in cuttings treated with IBA and pre-inoculated with PSM + AM fungi followed by AM fungi + Azotobacter combinations. This study gives the future insight for exogenous applications of IBA with ecofriendly bio-inoculants in improving vegetative growth and increasing the production of healthy plants of horticultural crops under nursery conditions.