THE INFLUENCE OF BIOSTIMULANTS ON THE RHIZOSPHERIC MICROORGANISMS OF SCORZONERA (Scorzonera hispanica L.)

Scorzonera (Scorzonera hispanica L.) is a particularly valuable species among little-known and rarely cultivat-ed vegetables. It is a root vegetable of high dietary and nutritional values. The suitable microbiological activity of the soil favors the growth and development of scorzonera. Biostimulants can positively affect the com-munities of rhizospheric microorganisms of cultivated plants, including this important vegetable. The studies established the influence of biostimulants on the microbial communities in the scorzonera rhizosphere. Before setting up the field experiment, scorzonera seeds were dressed with fungicide Zaprawa Nasienna T 75 DS/WS or biostimulants Beta-Chikol, Bio-Algeen S-90, and Asahi SL. The laboratory microbiological analyses of scor-zonera rhizosphere soil were conducted and determined the total population of bacteria and fungi. The obtained rhizosphere isolates of fungi Albifimbria, Clonostachys, Epicoccum, Penicillium, and Trichoderma sp. were tested to check the influence on fungi pathogenic to scorzonera (Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium oxysporum, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Rhizoctonia solani). The experiments showed that biostimulants, especially Asahi SL and Beta-Chikol, favored the development of rhizobacteria populations (including Bacillus sp. and Pseudo-monas sp.). All biostimulants (Beta-Chikol, in particular) and the fungicide decreased the population of rhizo-spheric fungi and limited the occurrence of polyphagous fungi in the rhizosphere of scorzonera. Biostimulant Beta-Chikol and fungicide Zaprawa Nasienna T 75 DS/WS were most effective in stimulating the development of antagonistic fungi. Clonostachys rosea, Trichoderma sp., and Albifimbria verrucaria predominated as antag-onistic rhizospheric fungi.

Automated summary

Scorzonera is a valuable root vegetable with high dietary and nutritional values. Biostimulants can positively influence the growth and development of rhizospheric microorganisms in scorzonera, while fungicides can decrease the population of pathogenic fungi. The experiments showed that certain biostimulants and fungicides were effective in stimulating the development of antagonistic fungi and limiting the occurrence of polyphagous fungi in the rhizosphere of scorzonera.