Influence of Bio-Inoculants on Growth, Flowering, and Bulb Development of Tulip (Tulipa gesneriana L.) cv. "Purissima"

Influence of Bio-Inoculants on Growth, Flowering, and Bulb Development of Tulip (Tulipa gesneriana L.) cv. 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"Purissima" Haroon Nazir, Qazi Altaf Hussain, Nasir H. Masoodi, Shahid A. Padder, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8041086/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 4 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The study “ Influence of Bio-Inoculants on Growth, Flowering, and Bulb Development of Tulip ( Tulipa gesneriana L.)” cv. "Purissima" was conducted during the 2023–2024 academic year at the Division of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, SKUAST-K, Srinagar. The findings of the study revealed that the treatment combination (T 7 ) of PSB + KSB + VAM significantly outperformed the control across most parameters. This treatment led to earlier sprouting, improved vegetative growth (maximum plant height of 47.56 cm and leaf area of 152.06 cm²), enhanced flowering characteristics (shortened days to anthesis, longer flower duration, and larger flower diameter), and superior bulb yield (maximum bulb weight of 24.60 g bulb − 1 and diameter of 3.55 cm). In addition, the bio-inoculants notably increased rhizospheric microbial populations, with T 7 (PSB + KSB + VAM) yielding the highest total bacterial counts (78.50 × 10⁷ CFU g⁻¹ soil), and individual treatments showing peak populations for phosphorus and potassium solubilizing bacteria and total fungi. These results underscore the potential of bio-inoculants as a sustainable tool for enhancing tulip production and minimizing chemical inputs. VAM PSB KSB Bioinoculant Tulip Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 INTRODUCTION Tulips ( Tulipa gesneriana L.) are one of the most prominent bulbous flowering plants globally, cherished for their vibrant and diverse blooms. Tulips are often considered as one of Humanity’s “canonical flowers”, along with the rose, lily, orchid and peony. Only a select few of the various tulip species are grown for commercial purposes and used for hybridization. Important species include Tulipa fosteriana , T. chrysantha , T. biflora , T. montana , T. persica , T. stellata , T. kaufmanniana, T. greigii , T. turkestanica , T. edulis , T. hoogiana and T. igens . The tulips of today are hybrids, and hybridization has produced a number of new kinds. Few tulips are triploid or tetraploid, although the majority are diploid (2n = 24). When utilized in gardens, tulips inject vibrant splashes of colour into the landscape. Holland stands out as the primary producer of tulip flowers and bulbs, playing a pivotal role in the flowering industry in the Netherlands. In India, tulips are predominantly cultivated in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. As a vital component of the floriculture industry, tulip cultivation has witnessed increasing demand for higher productivity and better quality. Traditionally, tulip production has relied on chemical fertilizers; however, such practices pose environmental and economic challenges. The rising emphasis on sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices have led to the exploration of bio-inoculants as an alternative to chemical fertilizers. Bio-inoculants, such as phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), potassium-solubilizing bacteria (KSB), and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM), play a pivotal role in enhancing nutrient availability, improving soil health, and promoting plant growth. They not only improve phosphorus and potassium solubilization but also facilitate better root colonization and microbial synergy. The variety " Purissima " is renowned for whitish blooms and adaptability, making it a preferred choice among growers. However, limited research exists on optimizing its growth and flowering through bio-inoculant applications. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of PSB, KSB, and VAM, individually and in combination, on the growth, flowering, and bulb characteristics of Purissima . It also aimed to explore the potential of bio-inoculants in enhancing microbial populations in the rhizosphere, contributing to sustainable tulip cultivation. MATERIALS AND METHODS The research was conducted at the at the Division of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, SKUAST-K, Srinagar using a randomized block design (RCBD) with eight treatments (T0–T7). Each treatment was replicated thrice, and data was collected from three randomly selected plants per treatment during the year 2023 24. The treatments consisted of the following bio inoculant combinations: • T0: Control (Standard Control) • T1: PSB (Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria) • T2: KSB (Potassium-solubilizing bacteria) • T3: VAM (Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae) • T4: PSB + KSB • T5: PSB + VAM • T6: KSB + VAM • T7: PSB + KSB + VAM. The soil was loamy, with a pH of 6.8, and was prepared by sterilizing and enriching it with organic compost. Standard tulip cultivation practices were followed, including planting bulbs at a density of 30 bulbs m-2.Bulbs were treated with bio inoculants using the dip method (30-minute dip before planting). Key parameters measured included: Days to sprouting, plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, days to flower opening, flower diameter, flower duration, number of daughter bulbs, weight, and diameter of bulbs, populations of PSB, KSB, total bacteria, and fungi in the rhizosphere. The collected data was subjected to ANOVA, and critical difference (CD) values were calculated at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The application of bio-inoculants significantly influenced the growth parameters of tulips. The Treatment combination PSB + KSB + VAM recorded the earliest sprouting (80.33 days), indicating enhanced nutrient availability and rapid metabolic activity. The tallest plants were observed in the treatment combination PSB + KSB + VAM (47.56 cm), 9.8% taller than the control, attributed to improved nutrient uptake facilitated by bio-inoculants. This treatment also resulted in the highest leaf area (152.06 cm²), reflecting better photosynthetic efficiency and vigour. Treatment combination PSB + KSB + VAM advanced flower opening to 124.33 days compared to 126.68 days in the control, suggesting accelerated physiological development. The same treatment combination (PSB + KSB + VAM) exhibited the largest flowers (7.74 cm) and longest flower duration (26.67 days), likely due to enhanced nutrient assimilation and hormonal activity. Bulb production parameters showed significant enhancement with Treatment combination PSB + KSB + VAM. Treatment combination PSB + KSB + VAM produced 1.67 bulbs/plant, with an average weight of 24.60 g, a 25% increase over the control and also resulted in the largest bulb diameter (3.55 cm), indicative of improved carbohydrate partitioning. Treatment PSB (T 1 ) recorded the highest rhizospheric populations of PSB (40.48 CFU g − 1 soil x 10 3 ), (KSB)T 2 for KSB (29.78 CFU g − 1 soil x 10 2 ), (PSB + KSB + VAM) T 7 for total bacterial population (78.50 CFU g − 1 soil x 10 7 ) and (VAM)T 3 for total fungal population (46.62 CFU g − 1 soil x 10 4 ) supporting a synergistic role of bio-inoculants in enhancing soil microbial activity and nutrient dynamics. The early bulb sprouting can be attributed to the mobilization of reserve food material to the sink through increased activity by hydrolysing and oxidizing enzymes and organic acids including vitamins and amino acids. In addition to growth promoting substances produced by KSB, production of organic acids, such as vitamins and amino acids, as well as growth-promoting substances like gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) and indol-3-acetic acid (IAA), aid in sprouting and germination. VAM and PSB perform in a somewhat similar fashion. By expanding their network of hyphae, VAM increases the uptake of P and aids in the uptake of minor elements as, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, and other elements. By physically entangling soil particles and organic components, VAM fungal hyphae contribute significantly to soil aggregation by forming the skeleton of macroaggregates. These aggregates improve the storage of carbon and nutrients and provide an environment that is favourable for soil microorganism development and survival. PSB solubilize the insoluble forms of phosphate, such as tricalcium, iron and aluminium phosphates, into available forms thus reducing the time taken to sprout ( 9 , 11 ). The enhancement in plant vegetative growth, manifested as increased plant height, could be ascribed to the ability of bioinoculant microorganisms to get involved in composite processes in nutrient assimilation in plants and facilitating the growth of the plants ( 10 ). Application of bio fertilizers was found to enhance plant height and scape length in rose and tulip species ( 6 , 8 ). Similar positive effect of bioinoculants on plant vegetative growth were reported in Gladiolus ( 1 ). Microbes used as bioinoculants not only provide nutrients for plants but also aid in reducing a variety of biotic and abiotic stressors ( 3 ). The early initiation of floral buds due to the application of VAM, KSB and PSB can be attributed to easy uptake of nutrients and simultaneous transport of growth promoting substances like cytokinins to the auxiliary buds, resulting in removal of apical dominance ( 7 ). When compared to non-inoculated plants, the plants treated with bioinoculants showed early flower bud appearance. This could be because the vegetative primordial shifted to the reproductive primordial and the vegetative growth was completed earlier in tulip ( 4 ). The application of biofertilizers might increase bulb yield and number of bulblets per plant owing to the improvement in plant nitrogen availability, which could lead to an increase in the average number of bulbs and bulblets ( 5 ). The notable increase in the counted microbial population following treatment with the bioinoculants emphasizes the beneficial interaction of additional microbes with the incumbent populations. The fact that bioinoculants fixed, released, or solubilized specific compounds that served as nutrition for the occupant populations may be explained by this improvement. The main rhizosphere effect may be explained by the fact that microorganisms proliferate in the rhizosphere when roots secrete large amounts of readily degradable compounds in exchange of the nutrients solubilised by the bioinoculant populations ( 2 ). Table 1 Different vegetative and floral traits of Tulip cv. Purisssima as influenced by Bio-inoculants. Treatment(T) Days taken to sprouting(day) Plant height(cm) Leaf Area (cm 2 ) Days to appearance of flower bud Days to color break Days to flower opening Flower duration (day) Flower diameter (cm) T 0 : Control 82.68 42.40 148.71 112.35 121.35 126.68 23.20 5.83 T 1 : PSB 82.38 43.58 149.48 112.05 121.05 126.38 23.76 6.10 T 2 : KSB 82.10 43.11 149.56 111.77 120.77 126.10 24.18 6.29 T 3 : VAM 81.33 44.47 150.44 111.00 120.00 125.33 24.67 6.54 T 4 : PSB + KSB 81.75 45.62 149.45 111.42 120.42 125.75 24.88 6.80 T 5 : PSB + VAM 81.37 46.78 151.82 111.04 120.04 125.37 25.33 7.28 T 6 : KSB + VAM 80.84 46.31 151.75 110.51 119.51 124.84 25.70 7.48 T 7 : PSB + KSB + VAM 80.33 47.56 152.06 110.00 119.00 124.33 26.67 7.74 C.D (p ≤ 0.05) 0.047 0.661 0.270 0.148 0.150 0.069 0.243 0.216 Table 2 Different bulb traits of Tulip cv. Purisssima as influenced by Bio-inoculants. Treatment(T) No. of daughter bulbs / plant Weight of daughter bulbs/plant (g/bulb) Avg. diameter of the daughter bulb(cm) T 0 : Control 1.27 20.94 2.73 T 1 : PSB 1.32 21.54 2.81 T 2 : KSB 1.35 22.25 2.96 T 3 : VAM 1.41 22.78 3.09 T 4 : PSB + KSB 1.48 23.15 3.21 T 5 : PSB + VAM 1.54 23.66 3.38 T 6 : KSB + VAM 1.60 24.10 3.43 T 7 : PSB + KSB + VAM 1.67 24.60 3.55 C.D (p ≤ 0.05) 0.020 0.156 0.043 Table 3 Different rhizospheric microbial traits of Tulip cv. Purisssima as influenced by Bio-inoculants. Treatment(T) PSB(CFU g − 1 soil x 10 3 ) KSB(CFU g 1 soil x 10 2 ) Total Bacteria (CFU g − 1 soil x10 7 ) Total Fungi (CFU g-1 soil x 10 4 ) T 0 : Control 21.33 17.53 66.85 37.33 T 1 : PSB 40.48 21.30 68.31 40.18 T 2 : KSB 34.66 29.78 72.49 41.92 T 3 : VAM 31.50 19.66 69.55 46.62 T 4 : PSB + KSB 38.11 26.46 76.11 39.66 T 5 : PSB + VAM 37.49 23.42 70.74 43.53 T 6 : KSB + VAM 33.74 27.34 74.67 43.84 T 7 : PSB + KSB + VAM 38.27 25.31 78.50 42.78 C.D (p ≤ 0.05) 0.985 0.948 0.696 0.539 CONCLUSION The combined application of PSB, KSB, and VAM (T 7 ) significantly improved the growth, flowering, and bulb characteristics of the tulip variety Purissima. Bio-inoculants not only enhanced plant productivity but also fostered sustainable cultivation by enriching the rhizosphere with beneficial microbial populations. Maximum rhizospheric phosphorus solubilising bacterial population (40.48 x 10 3 CFU g − 1 soil) was recorded with treatment T 1 (PSB), whereas minimum rhizospheric phosphorus solubilising bacterial population (21.33 x 10 3 CFU g − 1 soil) was recorded with T 0 (control). Maximum rhizospheric potassium solubilising bacterial population (29.78 x 10 2 CFU g − 1 soil) was recorded with treatment T 2 (KSB), whereas minimum rhizospheric potassium solubilising bacterial population (17.53 x 10 2 CFU g − 1 soil) was recorded with T 0 (control). Maximum rhizospheric population of total bacteria (78.50 x 10 7 CFU g − 1 soil) was recorded with treatment T 7 (PSB + KSB + VAM), whereas minimum rhizospheric population of total bacteria (66.85 x 10 7 CFU g − 1 soil) was recorded with T 0 (control). Maximum rhizospheric population of total fungi (46.62 x 10 4 CFU g − 1 soil) was recorded with treatment T 3 (VAM), whereas minimum rhizospheric population of total fungi (37.33 x 10 4 CFU g − 1 soil) was recorded with T 0 (control). These findings validate the potential of bio-inoculants as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers in tulip production. Declarations ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The authors express the gratitude to the scientific and field staff of Division of FLA, SKUAST-K for the generous support provided to the first author during their master’s studies, which made this research possible. Funding Declaration: No funding received. Ethics, Consent to Participate, and Consent to Publish declarations: Not applicable . Clinical trial number: Not applicable. No competing Interests. References Ali, A., Mehmood, T., Hussain, R., Bashir, A., Raza, S., Najam-ud-Din and Ahmad, A. 2013. 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Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus levels on sprouting of bulbs, vegetative growth and bulb production of tuberose ( Polianthes tuberosa L.). Research in Environment and Life Sciences 10 (1):47-49. Vessey J. K. 2003. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria as biofertilizers. Plant Soil 255 :571–586. Whitelaw, M. A. 2000. Growth promotion of plants inoculated with phosphate solubilizing fungi. Advances in Agronomy 69 : 99-151. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 18 Nov, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 10 Nov, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 10 Nov, 2025 First submitted to journal 05 Nov, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":105353,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eRhizospheric PSB population of Tulip (\u003cem\u003eTulipa gesneriana\u003c/em\u003e L.) as influenced by bio inoculants\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8041086/v1/71caa9f936b40343023367d6.png"},{"id":95714307,"identity":"278a6db5-9c88-49fa-8e8d-022558e24d18","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-12 08:29:12","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":134384,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eRhizospheric KSB population of Tulip (\u003cem\u003eTulipa gesneriana\u003c/em\u003e L.) as influenced by bio 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4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":99841,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eRhizospheric population of total Fungi of Tulip (\u003cem\u003eTulipa gesneriana\u003c/em\u003e L.) as influenced by bio inoculants.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8041086/v1/4140b65805cfbe836c5c0f57.png"},{"id":95805191,"identity":"6d22620d-d1fc-4ba5-901b-31edfa7e9c48","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-13 08:40:19","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1069947,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8041086/v1/7ddeca77-bceb-4faf-b34a-b1015ee0730a.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Influence of Bio-Inoculants on Growth, Flowering, and Bulb Development of Tulip (Tulipa gesneriana L.) cv. \"Purissima\"","fulltext":[{"header":"INTRODUCTION","content":"\u003cp\u003eTulips (\u003cem\u003eTulipa gesneriana\u003c/em\u003e L.) are one of the most prominent bulbous flowering plants globally, cherished for their vibrant and diverse blooms. Tulips are often considered as one of Humanity\u0026rsquo;s \u0026ldquo;canonical flowers\u0026rdquo;, along with the rose, lily, orchid and peony. Only a select few of the various tulip species are grown for commercial purposes and used for hybridization. Important species include \u003cem\u003eTulipa fosteriana\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eT. chrysantha\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eT. biflora\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eT. montana\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eT. persica\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eT. stellata\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eT. kaufmanniana, T. greigii\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eT. turkestanica\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eT. edulis\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eT. hoogiana\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eT. igens\u003c/em\u003e. The tulips of today are hybrids, and hybridization has produced a number of new kinds. Few tulips are triploid or tetraploid, although the majority are diploid (2n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;24). When utilized in gardens, tulips inject vibrant splashes of colour into the landscape. Holland stands out as the primary producer of tulip flowers and bulbs, playing a pivotal role in the flowering industry in the Netherlands. In India, tulips are predominantly cultivated in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. As a vital component of the floriculture industry, tulip cultivation has witnessed increasing demand for higher productivity and better quality. Traditionally, tulip production has relied on chemical fertilizers; however, such practices pose environmental and economic challenges. The rising emphasis on sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices have led to the exploration of bio-inoculants as an alternative to chemical fertilizers. Bio-inoculants, such as phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), potassium-solubilizing bacteria (KSB), and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM), play a pivotal role in enhancing nutrient availability, improving soil health, and promoting plant growth. They not only improve phosphorus and potassium solubilization but also facilitate better root colonization and microbial synergy. The variety \"\u003cem\u003ePurissima\u003c/em\u003e\" is renowned for whitish blooms and adaptability, making it a preferred choice among growers. However, limited research exists on optimizing its growth and flowering through bio-inoculant applications. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of PSB, KSB, and VAM, individually and in combination, on the growth, flowering, and bulb characteristics of \u003cem\u003ePurissima\u003c/em\u003e. It also aimed to explore the potential of bio-inoculants in enhancing microbial populations in the rhizosphere, contributing to sustainable tulip cultivation.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"MATERIALS AND METHODS","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe research was conducted at the at the Division of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, SKUAST-K, Srinagar using a randomized block design (RCBD) with eight treatments (T0\u0026ndash;T7). Each treatment was replicated thrice, and data was collected from three randomly selected plants per treatment during the year 2023 24. The treatments consisted of the following bio inoculant combinations: \u0026bull; T0: Control (Standard Control) \u0026bull; T1: PSB (Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria) \u0026bull; T2: KSB (Potassium-solubilizing bacteria) \u0026bull; T3: VAM (Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae) \u0026bull; T4: PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;KSB \u0026bull; T5: PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM \u0026bull; T6: KSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM \u0026bull; T7: PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;KSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM. The soil was loamy, with a pH of 6.8, and was prepared by sterilizing and enriching it with organic compost. Standard tulip cultivation practices were followed, including planting bulbs at a density of 30 bulbs m-2.Bulbs were treated with bio inoculants using the dip method (30-minute dip before planting). Key parameters measured included: Days to sprouting, plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, days to flower opening, flower diameter, flower duration, number of daughter bulbs, weight, and diameter of bulbs, populations of PSB, KSB, total bacteria, and fungi in the rhizosphere. The collected data was subjected to ANOVA, and critical difference (CD) values were calculated at p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"RESULTS AND DISCUSSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe application of bio-inoculants significantly influenced the growth parameters of tulips. The Treatment combination PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;KSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM recorded the earliest sprouting (80.33 days), indicating enhanced nutrient availability and rapid metabolic activity. The tallest plants were observed in the treatment combination PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;KSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM (47.56 cm), 9.8% taller than the control, attributed to improved nutrient uptake facilitated by bio-inoculants. This treatment also resulted in the highest leaf area (152.06 cm\u0026sup2;), reflecting better photosynthetic efficiency and vigour. Treatment combination PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;KSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM advanced flower opening to 124.33 days compared to 126.68 days in the control, suggesting accelerated physiological development. The same treatment combination (PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;KSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM) exhibited the largest flowers (7.74 cm) and longest flower duration (26.67 days), likely due to enhanced nutrient assimilation and hormonal activity. Bulb production parameters showed significant enhancement with Treatment combination PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;KSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM. Treatment combination PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;KSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM produced 1.67 bulbs/plant, with an average weight of 24.60 g, a 25% increase over the control and also resulted in the largest bulb diameter (3.55 cm), indicative of improved carbohydrate partitioning. Treatment PSB (T\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e) recorded the highest rhizospheric populations of PSB (40.48 CFU g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e soil x 10\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e ), (KSB)T\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e for KSB (29.78 CFU g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e soil x 10\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e), (PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;KSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM) T\u003csub\u003e7\u003c/sub\u003e for total bacterial population (78.50 CFU g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e soil x 10\u003csup\u003e7\u003c/sup\u003e) and (VAM)T\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e for total fungal population (46.62 CFU g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e soil x 10\u003csup\u003e4\u003c/sup\u003e) supporting a synergistic role of bio-inoculants in enhancing soil microbial activity and nutrient dynamics.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe early bulb sprouting can be attributed to the mobilization of reserve food material to the sink through increased activity by hydrolysing and oxidizing enzymes and organic acids including vitamins and amino acids. In addition to growth promoting substances produced by KSB, production of organic acids, such as vitamins and amino acids, as well as growth-promoting substances like gibberellic acid (GA\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e) and indol-3-acetic acid (IAA), aid in sprouting and germination. VAM and PSB perform in a somewhat similar fashion. By expanding their network of hyphae, VAM increases the uptake of P and aids in the uptake of minor elements as, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, and other elements. By physically entangling soil particles and organic components, VAM fungal hyphae contribute significantly to soil aggregation by forming the skeleton of macroaggregates. These aggregates improve the storage of carbon and nutrients and provide an environment that is favourable for soil microorganism development and survival. PSB solubilize the insoluble forms of phosphate, such as tricalcium, iron and aluminium phosphates, into available forms thus reducing the time taken to sprout (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e). The enhancement in plant vegetative growth, manifested as increased plant height, could be ascribed to the ability of bioinoculant microorganisms to get involved in composite processes in nutrient assimilation in plants and facilitating the growth of the plants (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e). Application of bio fertilizers was found to enhance plant height and scape length in rose and tulip species (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e). Similar positive effect of bioinoculants on plant vegetative growth were reported in Gladiolus (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Microbes used as bioinoculants not only provide nutrients for plants but also aid in reducing a variety of biotic and abiotic stressors (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). The early initiation of floral buds due to the application of VAM, KSB and PSB can be attributed to easy uptake of nutrients and simultaneous transport of growth promoting substances like cytokinins to the auxiliary buds, resulting in removal of apical dominance (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e). When compared to non-inoculated plants, the plants treated with bioinoculants showed early flower bud appearance. This could be because the vegetative primordial shifted to the reproductive primordial and the vegetative growth was completed earlier in tulip (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). The application of biofertilizers might increase bulb yield and number of bulblets per plant owing to the improvement in plant nitrogen availability, which could lead to an increase in the average number of bulbs and bulblets (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). The notable increase in the counted microbial population following treatment with the bioinoculants emphasizes the beneficial interaction of additional microbes with the incumbent populations. The fact that bioinoculants fixed, released, or solubilized specific compounds that served as nutrition for the occupant populations may be explained by this improvement. The main rhizosphere effect may be explained by the fact that microorganisms proliferate in the rhizosphere when roots secrete large amounts of readily degradable compounds in exchange of the nutrients solubilised by the bioinoculant populations (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDifferent vegetative and floral traits of Tulip cv. Purisssima as influenced by Bio-inoculants.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"9\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatment(T)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDays taken to sprouting(day)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant height(cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLeaf Area (cm\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDays to appearance of flower bud\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDays to color break\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDays to flower opening\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFlower duration\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(day)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFlower diameter\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e0\u003c/sub\u003e: Control\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82.68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e148.71\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e112.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e121.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e126.68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23.20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e: PSB\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82.38\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43.58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e149.48\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e112.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e121.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e126.38\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23.76\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e: KSB\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e149.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e111.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e120.77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e126.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e: VAM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e81.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44.47\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e150.44\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e111.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e120.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e125.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e: PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;KSB\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e81.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e149.45\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e111.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e120.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e125.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.88\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e: PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e81.37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46.78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e151.82\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e111.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e120.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e125.37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e6\u003c/sub\u003e: KSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e80.84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e151.75\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e110.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e119.51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e124.84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25.70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.48\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e7\u003c/sub\u003e: PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;KSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e80.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47.56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e152.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e110.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e119.00\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e124.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eC.D (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.047\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.661\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.270\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.148\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.150\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.069\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.243\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.216\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDifferent bulb traits of Tulip cv. Purisssima as influenced by Bio-inoculants.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatment(T)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. of daughter bulbs / plant\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWeight of daughter bulbs/plant (g/bulb)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvg. diameter of the daughter bulb(cm)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e0\u003c/sub\u003e: Control\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20.94\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e: PSB\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.81\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e: KSB\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.96\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e: VAM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.41\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22.78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e: PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;KSB\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.48\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e: PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23.66\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.38\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e6\u003c/sub\u003e: KSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e7\u003c/sub\u003e: PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;KSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eC.D (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.020\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.156\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.043\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDifferent rhizospheric microbial traits of Tulip cv. Purisssima as influenced by Bio-inoculants.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatment(T)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePSB(CFU g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e soil x 10\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKSB(CFU g\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003e soil x 10\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal Bacteria (CFU g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003esoil x10\u003csup\u003e7\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal Fungi (CFU g-1 soil x 10\u003csup\u003e4\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e0\u003c/sub\u003e: Control\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17.53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e66.85\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e: PSB\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40.48\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21.30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e68.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40.18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e: KSB\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34.66\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e72.49\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41.92\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e: VAM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19.66\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46.62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e: PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;KSB\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26.46\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e76.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e39.66\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e: PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37.49\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e70.74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43.53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e6\u003c/sub\u003e: KSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33.74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27.34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43.84\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e7\u003c/sub\u003e: PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;KSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e78.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e42.78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eC.D (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.985\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.948\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.696\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.539\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"CONCLUSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe combined application of PSB, KSB, and VAM (T\u003csub\u003e7\u003c/sub\u003e) significantly improved the growth, flowering, and bulb characteristics of the tulip variety \u003cem\u003ePurissima.\u003c/em\u003e Bio-inoculants not only enhanced plant productivity but also fostered sustainable cultivation by enriching the rhizosphere with beneficial microbial populations. Maximum rhizospheric phosphorus solubilising bacterial population (40.48 x 10\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e CFU g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e soil) was recorded with treatment T\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e (PSB), whereas minimum rhizospheric phosphorus solubilising bacterial population (21.33 x 10\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e CFU g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e soil) was recorded with T\u003csub\u003e0\u003c/sub\u003e (control). Maximum rhizospheric potassium solubilising bacterial population (29.78 x 10\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e CFU g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e soil) was recorded with treatment T\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e (KSB), whereas minimum rhizospheric potassium solubilising bacterial population (17.53 x 10\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e CFU g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e soil) was recorded with T\u003csub\u003e0\u003c/sub\u003e (control). Maximum rhizospheric population of total bacteria (78.50 x 10\u003csup\u003e7\u003c/sup\u003e CFU g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e soil) was recorded with treatment T\u003csub\u003e7\u003c/sub\u003e (PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;KSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM), whereas minimum rhizospheric population of total bacteria (66.85 x 10\u003csup\u003e7\u003c/sup\u003e CFU g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e soil) was recorded with T\u003csub\u003e0\u003c/sub\u003e (control). Maximum rhizospheric population of total fungi (46.62 x 10\u003csup\u003e4\u003c/sup\u003e CFU g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e soil) was recorded with treatment T\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e (VAM), whereas minimum rhizospheric population of total fungi (37.33 x 10\u003csup\u003e4\u003c/sup\u003e CFU g\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e soil) was recorded with T\u003csub\u003e0\u003c/sub\u003e (control). These findings validate the potential of bio-inoculants as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers in tulip production.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eACKNOWLEDGEMENT\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors express the gratitude to the scientific and field staff of \u0026nbsp;Division of FLA, SKUAST-K for the generous support provided to the first author during their master\u0026rsquo;s studies, which made this research possible.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFunding Declaration: \u003cstrong\u003eNo funding received.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEthics, Consent to Participate, and Consent to Publish declarations: \u003cstrong\u003eNot applicable\u003c/strong\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClinical trial number: \u003cstrong\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003ecompeting Interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAli, A., Mehmood, T., Hussain, R., Bashir, A., Raza, S., Najam-ud-Din and Ahmad, A. 2013. Investigation of biofertilizers influence on vegetative growth, flower quality, bulb yield and nutrient uptake in Gladiolus (\u003cem\u003eGladiolus\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003egrandiflorus\u003c/em\u003e L.). \u003cem\u003eInternational Journal of Plant, Animal and Environmental Sciences\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e4\u003c/strong\u003e(1): 94-99. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBais, H. P., Weir, T. L., Perry, L. G., Gilroy, S. and Vivanco, J. M. 2006. The role of root exudates in rhizosphere interactions with plants and other organisms. \u003cem\u003eAnnual Review of Plant Biology\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e57\u003c/strong\u003e:233e266\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBenidire L., El Khalloufi F., Oufdou K., Barakat M., Tulumello J., and Ortet P. 2020. Phytobeneficial bacteria improve saline stress tolerance in \u003cem\u003eVicia faba\u003c/em\u003e and modulate microbial interaction network. \u003cem\u003eScience of the Total Environment\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e729\u003c/strong\u003e. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFayaz, K., Khan, F. U., Nazki, I.T., Nisa, M. U., Verty, P. and Singh, V. K. 2018. Effect of Integrated Nutrient Application on Yield and Bulb Production Characters in Tulip (\u003cem\u003eTulipa gesneriana\u003c/em\u003e L.) cv. \u0026ldquo;Red Beauty\u0026rdquo;. \u003cem\u003eInternational Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Science\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e7\u003c/strong\u003e: 190-195.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJagadeesha, N., Srinivasulu, G. B., Shet, R. M., Umesh, M. R., Kustagi, G. and Ravikumar, B. 2019. Effect of organic manures on physical, chemical and biological properties of soil and crop yield in finger millet red gram intercropping system. \u003cem\u003eInternational Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e5\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e:\u003c/em\u003e68-70.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKhan, F. U., Siddique, M. A. A., Khan, F. and Nazki, I. T. 2009. Effect of biofertilizers on growth, flower quality and bulb yield in tulip (\u003cem\u003eTulipa gesneriana\u003c/em\u003e). \u003cem\u003eIndian Journal of Agricultural Sciences \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e79\u003c/strong\u003e(4): 248-251.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMeena, V. S., Maurya, B. R. and Verma, J. P. 2014. Does a rhizospheric microorganism enhance K\u003csup\u003e+\u003c/sup\u003e availability in agricultural soils? \u003cem\u003eMicrobiological Research\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e169\u003c/strong\u003e:337-347.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSingh, A. K. 2005. Response of rose plant growth and flowering to nitrogen, \u003cem\u003eAzotobacter\u003c/em\u003e and farmyard manure. \u003cem\u003eJournal of Ornamental Horticulture\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e8\u003c/strong\u003e(4): 296-298.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSingh, M. P. and Kumar, A. 2017. Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus levels on sprouting of bulbs, vegetative growth and bulb production of tuberose (\u003cem\u003ePolianthes tuberosa\u003c/em\u003e L.). \u003cem\u003eResearch in Environment and Life Sciences\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e10\u003c/strong\u003e (1):47-49. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVessey J. K. 2003. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria as biofertilizers. \u003cem\u003ePlant Soil\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e255\u003c/strong\u003e:571\u0026ndash;586.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhitelaw, M. A. 2000. Growth promotion of plants inoculated with phosphate solubilizing fungi. \u003cem\u003eAdvances in Agronomy\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e69\u003c/strong\u003e: 99-151.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-plants","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Plants](https://link.springer.com/journal/44372)","snPcode":"44372","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/44372/3","title":"Discover Plants","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"VAM, PSB, KSB, Bioinoculant, Tulip","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8041086/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8041086/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThe study \u003cb\u003e\u0026ldquo;\u003c/b\u003eInfluence of Bio-Inoculants on Growth, Flowering, and Bulb Development of Tulip (\u003cem\u003eTulipa gesneriana\u003c/em\u003e L.)\u0026rdquo; cv. \"Purissima\" was conducted during the 2023\u0026ndash;2024 academic year at the Division of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, SKUAST-K, Srinagar. The findings of the study revealed that the treatment combination (T\u003csub\u003e7\u003c/sub\u003e) of PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;KSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM significantly outperformed the control across most parameters. This treatment led to earlier sprouting, improved vegetative growth (maximum plant height of 47.56 cm and leaf area of 152.06 cm\u0026sup2;), enhanced flowering characteristics (shortened days to anthesis, longer flower duration, and larger flower diameter), and superior bulb yield (maximum bulb weight of 24.60 g bulb\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e and diameter of 3.55 cm). In addition, the bio-inoculants notably increased rhizospheric microbial populations, with T\u003csub\u003e7\u003c/sub\u003e (PSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;KSB\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;VAM) yielding the highest total bacterial counts (78.50 \u0026times; 10⁷ CFU g⁻\u0026sup1; soil), and individual treatments showing peak populations for phosphorus and potassium solubilizing bacteria and total fungi. These results underscore the potential of bio-inoculants as a sustainable tool for enhancing tulip production and minimizing chemical inputs.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Influence of Bio-Inoculants on Growth, Flowering, and Bulb Development of Tulip (Tulipa gesneriana L.) cv. \"Purissima\"","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-11-12 08:29:07","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8041086/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-11-18T07:18:05+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-11-10T12:03:00+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-11-10T12:02:54+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Discover Plants","date":"2025-11-05T18:07:20+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-plants","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Plants](https://link.springer.com/journal/44372)","snPcode":"44372","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/44372/3","title":"Discover Plants","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"e15e7c85-5d7d-4cf1-91c7-cc43d0655af0","owner":[],"postedDate":"November 12th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-03-13T09:41:02+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-11-12 08:29:07","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8041086","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8041086","identity":"rs-8041086","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}