The effects of microbiological inoculants on the growth of phalaenopsis orchids

Tehnologija efektivnih mikroorganizmov (EM, angl. effective microorganisms) uporablja kombinacijo več vrst kultur živih mikroorganizmov, ki so bili izolirani iz naravnih rodovitnih tal. Namen diplomskega dela je proučiti vpliv uporabe koristnih mikroorganizmov (EM-tehnologije) na električno prevodnost in pH-vrednost izcedka hranilne raztopine ter morfološke lastnosti orhidej iz rodu falenopsis. V raziskavo, ki je potekala v podjetju Ocean Orchids, d. o. o., smo vključili štiri sorte orhidej rodu falenopsis (\u27Brisbane Anthura\u27, \u27Anthura Cambridge\u27, \u27Anthura Montreux\u27 ter \u27Anthura Washington\u27). Uporabili smo tri različna EM-sredstva (EM Multy Grower®, EM Naturalny Aktiwny® in EM-5®). Uporaba mikrobioloških pripravkov je značilno znižala povprečno vrednost električne prevodnosti izcedka hranilne raztopine in njegovo pH-vrednost le pri sorti \u27Anthura Cambridge\u27. Prav tako je uporaba EM-pripravkov značilno vplivala na določene morfološke lastnosti rastlin, vendar je bil učinek odvisen od sorte. Pri sorti \u27Anthura Cambridge\u27 se je značilno znižala sveža masa listov. Pri sortah \u27Brisbane Anthura\u27 in \u27Anthura Washington\u27 je uporaba EM-pripravkov značilno znižala vsebnost suhe snovi korenin, pri sortah \u27Anthura Cambridge\u27 in \u27Anthura Montreux\u27 se je značilno znižala suha snov listov.The Effective Microorganisms-technology (EM) uses a combination of several species of living microorganism cultures that were isolated from a natural fertile soil. The aim of this diploma paper is to examine the influence of the use of useful microorganisms (EM technology) on electrical conductivity and pH value of the nutrient solution exodate, and on morphological properties of Phalaenopsis orchids. In the research that took place at the Ocean Orchids d. o. o. company, we included four varieties of Phalaenopsis orchids (\u27Brisbane Anthura\u27, \u27Anthura Cambridge\u27, \u27Anthura Montreux\u27, and \u27Anthura Washington\u27). We used three different EM agents (EM Multy Grower®, EM Naturalny Aktiwny® and EM-5®). The treatment with EM preparations significantly increased the mean value of electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution exodate and decreased its pH in the \u27Anthura Cambridge\u27 variety only. In addition, the treatment significantly influenced certain morphological properties of plants, however, the effect was variety dependent. In the ‘Anthura Cambridge’ the treatment with EM significantly reduced leaves fresh weight. In the ‘Brisbane Anthura’ and ‘Anthura Washington’ varieties, the treatment with EM preparations significantly reduced the roots dry matter. In the ‘Anthura Cambridge’ and ‘Anthura Montreux’ varieties significantly lower values of dry matter of leaves was observed