Improving Morphological and Physiological Parameters of Rose Flowers by Biofertilizer Application in a Hydroponic System

Yield quality and quantity in hydroponic greenhouses usually rely on optimum crop root health and effective nutrient mobility. This study evaluated the effects of applying arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and biochar on different growth characteristics of commercial rose cultivars in a hydroponic cultivation system. In this experiment, Rosa hybrida cultivars were ‘Angelina’ and ‘Dolce Vita’. Treatments included concentrations of 0, 1.5, 3 and 6 g L-1 biochar, and 0 and 7 g L-1 of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as organic biofertilizers for the growth of rose plants. Biofertilizer application at 3 g L-1 biochar and 7 g L-1 arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi optimally increased flowering shoot diameter, flower diameter, flowering shoot length, and leaf phosphorus content. The ‘Dolce Vita’ cultivar responded more favorably to higher concentrations of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and biochar than the ‘Angelina’ cultivar in the hydroponic culture medium. Stem diameter, stem length, and flower diameter in both cultivars improved in response to higher biochar concentrations. The increased flowering shoot length resulted from root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and an enhanced nutrient uptake, especially phosphorus. A higher nutrient supply increased cell division and shoot growth.