Effect of efficient microorganism ME-50 on rooting and survival of agricultural seed of Thitonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the efficient microorganism ME-50 on the rooting and survival of the agricultural seed of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray.

Materials and Methods: The effect of three conditioning times with ME-50 was evaluated: 0 hours (control), 24 and 48 hours. During the study, sprouting was carefully monitored during the first 14 days, while morphological quality of shoots and roots was systematically evaluated at 14, 28 and 42 days after planting.

Results: The conditioning of cuttings with ME-50 had a significant positive effect on the vegetative development of the species. Cuttings treated with the biostimulant showed a faster and more abundant shoot emission compared to the control group, with the 48-hour conditioning treatment standing out as the most effective. As for the root system, a particular development pattern was observed. Although initially there was a delay in root emission in the treated cuttings, after 42 days they significantly outperformed the control in both root length and root density, especially in the 48-hour treatment.

Conclusions: The use of ME-50 represents an effective strategy for the improvement of vegetative propagation of T. diversifolia and 48-hour conditioning was the most recommended protocol. The initial delay in root development did not compromise the final results, as it was compensated by a more vigorous growth in the medium term.