A comparison of the effects of chemical and biological phosphorus fertilizer on phosphorus uptake and yield of Ornamental calendula (Calendula officinalis)

The use of bio-fertilizers is a global approach to reduce chemical inputs pollution to increase the quantity and quality of plant products in line with sustainable agriculture. In this study in order to compare the effects of biological and chemical phosphorus fertilizer on phosphorus uptake and yield of ornamental calendula, a factorial experiment with two factors: 1 - Application of biological phosphorus fertilizer at four levels: M1 (without using biological phosphorus manure), M2 (inoculated seed with biological phosphorus fertilizer), M3 (inoculated roots with biological phosphorus fertilizer), M4 (inoculated seed and roots with biological phosphorus fertilizer) and (2) the amount of phosphorus in the form of triple superphosphate at four levels P1 (zero), P2 (100), P3 (200), P4 (300 mg/l), based on a randomized complete block design with 16 treatments and 5 replicates with 5 pot per treatment was performed. The results showed that of the biological phosphate fertilizer application methods, M4 to most of the traits such plant height (35.53), flower diameter (66.58), flower number (9.15), number of leaves per plant (64.25), shoot fresh weight (29.9) and shoot P (3.45) was effective and efficient and phosphorus fertilizer consumption has reduced. Whereas in most of the characteristics M4P3 treatment had no significant difference with M4P4 treatment. Therefore, it is advisable to reduce consumption of chemical phosphorus fertilizer.