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Subject: Microbiology × Author: BHARDWAJ, SONAL × End date: 2016 × Start date: 2010 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MODULE FOR ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY OF CAULIFLOWER UNDER LOW AND MID HILLS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
    (2013) BHARDWAJ, SONAL; KAUSHAL, RAJESH
    ABSTRACT Our whole system of agriculture depends on microbial activities and there appears to be a tremendous potential for making use of these microorganisms in increasing crop production. The beneficial rhizospheric microorganisms are designated as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, act as biofertilizers, bioprotectants and biostimulants. These PGPR exert their growth promoting effects by a number of direct and indirect mechanisms. Therefore, present studies were undertaken to isolate and screen bacterial isolates from rhizosphere/endorhizosphere of cauliflower from Una district (Lalsingi, Ghaluwal, Bhadsali and Basal locations) of Himachal Pradesh to develop an effective inoculum of PGPR with multifarious plant-growth promoting traits (P-solubilization, N-fixation, IAA, Siderophore, HCN production and antagonism against soil borne pathogens). Out of the selected 25 isolates, only four isolates (SB5, SB8, SB10 and SB11) exhibited maximum plant growth promoting traits. On the basis of morphological (Gram +ve rods), physiological (optimum growth at 35oC and 7 pH) and biochemical characteristics (casein hydrolysis, production of gelatinase and catalase enzymes) these four isolates were tentatively identified as Bacillus sp. A reference isolate MK5 identified as Bacillus pumilus was procured from the Soil Microbiology Laboratory and used along with the selected four isolates for present studies. Out of these five isolates, MK5 and SB11 isolates have maximum plant growth promoting traits and also effective to control stalk rot, root rot and damping off diseases of cauliflower. The application of PGPR isolate (MK5) alongwith 75 per cent NP (N94 and P57 kg/ha) registered a significant increase in curd yield by 34 per cent (average of all the locations), increased available N and P content by an average of 32 and 42 per cent , respectively, however, it was statistically at par with SB11 + 75 per cent levels of NP (N94 and P57 kg/ha).Thus, the conjoint application of PGPR isolates at 75 per cent recommended levels of N & P not only registered an increase in yield but also saved 25 per cent NP (31 kg N/ha and 19 kg P/ha) chemical fertilizers. Hence, the developed technology has good prospects to be used not only for enhanced curd production but also to sustain soil health under low and mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh.