The effect of application of bio-fertilizer containing Pantoea agglomerans compared ‎to urea fertilizer on growth and quality of turfgrass

The use of environmentally friendly biofertilizers and their replacement with chemical fertilizers can be one of the options for grass nutrition management. In this study the effect of Pantoea agglomerans bacteria on growth and quality of grass and its comparison with urea fertilizer was investigated. This experiment was carried out in greenhouse in pots with four treatments of turfrass cultivation in a conventional way as control (Gr), application of urea equivalent to 100 kg/ha (GrU), application of nitrogen fixing bacteria of Pantoea agglomerans (GrPA), and application of nitrogen fixing bacteria of Pantoea agglomerans + PGPR (GrPP) with three replications. The results showed that the highest fresh weight was observed in GrU treatment. GrPA and GrPP treatments also had a positive effect on fresh weight after urea treatment. Biofertilizer efficiency for dry weight in GrPA and GrPP treatments was 32.9 % and 11.6 %, respectively. Application of biofertilizer containing Pantoea agglomerans alone or in combination with growth promoting bacteria increased the appearance of grass compared to the control treatment, but was less than urea treatment.  Biofertilizers also increased the concentrations of nitrogen, potassium, manganese and zinc in the leaves compared with the control treatment. In general, the results of this study showed that the use of Pantoea agglomerans as a nitrogen fixing bacteria has a positive effect on the growth and quality of grass and it can be used as a partial substitute for urea fertilizer.