Table 2 Effect of sole and combined application of IAA and compost on growth attributes of cauliflower under Ni stress

Treatments

Shoot length (cm)

Root length (cm)

Shoot fresh weight (g)

Shoot dry weight (g)

Normal

Contaminated

Normal

Contaminated

Normal

Contaminated

Normal

Contaminated

Control

IAA

Compost

IAA + Compost

24.14 ± 1.85 d

27.13 ± 2.04 c

28.31 ± 2.01 bc

31.32 ± 1.99 a

19.77 ± 1.13 f

22.39 ± 2.04 e

24.31 ± 1.98 d

29.47 ± 2.19 b

15.09 ± 1.02 bc

16.61 ± 1.39 b

17.37 ± 2.04 ab

18.97 ± 1.36 a

9.17 ± 1.01 d

13.38 ± 0.98 c

14.91 ± 1.12 bc

16.13 ± 1.38 b

449 ± 0.57 d

469.16 ± 0.59 c

483.5 ± 0.86 b

509 ± 0.57 a

258.5 ± 0.86 h

274 ± 0.57 g

288.7 ± 0.72 f

320.52 ± 0.74 e

70 ± 0.28 d

84.54 ± 0.29 c

94 ± 0.57 b

108.83 ± 0.59 a

29.16 ± 0.43 g

43.5 ± 0.76 f

54 ± 0.57 e

68.8 ± 0.59 d

Root fresh weight (g)

Root dry weight (g)

Leaf area (cm²)

No. of leaves plant^− 1

Normal

Contaminated

Normal

Contaminated

Normal

Contaminated

Normal

Contaminated

Control

IAA

Compost

IAA + Compost

49 ± 0.57 d

57 ± 0.57 c

64.83 ± 0.43 b

76.16 ± 0.72 a

29 ± 0.57 h

33.3 ± 0.43 g

39 ± 0.28 f

42.5 ± 0.28 e

20.5 ± 0.40 d

25 ± 0.81 c

28.75 ± 0.20 b

33.75 ± 1.42 a

8.24 ± 0.21 g

13.75 ± 0.60 f

16.5 ± 0.40 e

19.75 ± 0.60 d

174.61 ± 4.4 bc

180.97 ± 2.91 b

185.36 ± 3.75 b

230.41 ± 2.19 a

119.47 ± 3.15 d

166.45 ± 2.47 c

174.19 ± 4.71bc

209.32 ± 2.25 ab

8.23 ± 0.98 cd

9.32 ± 0.74 c

10.11 ± 1.07 ab

11.34 ± 1.24 a

3.19 ± 0.08 f

5.65 ± 0.10 e

6.39 ± 0.04 d

10.05 ± 0.09 b