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Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur (AP)
The Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) was established on 12th June 1964 at Hyderabad. The University was formally inaugurated on 20th March 1965 by Late Shri. Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India. Another significant milestone was the inauguration of the building programme of the university by Late Smt. Indira Gandhi,the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India on 23rd June 1966.
The University was renamed as Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University on 7th November 1996 in honour and memory of an outstanding parliamentarian Acharya Nayukulu Gogineni Ranga, who rendered remarkable selfless service for the cause of farmers and is regarded as an outstanding educationist, kisan leader and freedom fighter.
HISTORICAL MILESTONE
Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) was established under the name of Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) on the 12th of June 1964 through the APAU Act 1963. Later, it was renamed as Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University on the 7th of November, 1996 in honour and memory of the noted Parliamentarian and Kisan Leader, Acharya N. G. Ranga. At the verge of completion of Golden Jubilee Year of the ANGRAU, it has given birth to a new State Agricultural University namely Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University with the bifurcation of the state of Andhra Pradesh as per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act 2014. The ANGRAU at LAM, Guntur is serving the students and the farmers of 13 districts of new State of Andhra Pradesh with renewed interest and dedication.
Genesis of ANGRAU in service of the farmers
1926: The Royal Commission emphasized the need for a strong research base for agricultural development in the country...
1949: The Radhakrishnan Commission (1949) on University Education led to the establishment of Rural Universities for the overall development of agriculture and rural life in the country...
1955: First Joint Indo-American Team studied the status and future needs of agricultural education in the country...
1960: Second Joint Indo-American Team (1960) headed by Dr. M. S. Randhawa, the then Vice-President of Indian Council of Agricultural Research recommended specifically the establishment of Farm Universities and spelt out the basic objectives of these Universities as Institutional Autonomy, inclusion of Agriculture, Veterinary / Animal Husbandry and Home Science, Integration of Teaching, Research and Extension...
1963: The Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) Act enacted...
June 12th 1964: Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) was established at Hyderabad with Shri. O. Pulla Reddi, I.C.S. (Retired) was the first founder Vice-Chancellor of the University...
June 1964: Re-affilitation of Colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, Hyderabad (estt. in 1961, affiliated to Osmania University), Agricultural College, Bapatla (estt. in 1945, affiliated to Andhra University), Sri Venkateswara Agricultural College, Tirupati and Andhra Veterinary College, Tirupati (estt. in 1961, affiliated to Sri Venkateswara University)...
20th March 1965: Formal inauguration of APAU by Late Shri. Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India...
1964-66: The report of the Second National Education Commission headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, Chairman of the University Grants Commission stressed the need for establishing at least one Agricultural University in each Indian State...
23, June 1966: Inauguration of the Administrative building of the university by Late Smt. Indira Gandhi, the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India...
July, 1966: Transfer of 41 Agricultural Research Stations, functioning under the Department of Agriculture...
May, 1967: Transfer of Four Research Stations of the Animal Husbandry Department...
7th November 1996: Renaming of University as Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University in honour and memory of an outstanding parliamentarian Acharya Nayukulu Gogineni Ranga...
15th July 2005: Establishment of Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU) bifurcating ANGRAU by Act 18 of 2005...
26th June 2007: Establishment of Andhra Pradesh Horticultural University (APHU) bifurcating ANGRAU by the Act 30 of 2007...
2nd June 2014 As per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act 2014, ANGRAU is now...
serving the students and the farmers of 13 districts of new State of Andhra Pradesh with renewed interest and dedication...
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ThesisItem Open Access STUDY OF MYCORRHIZA HELPER BACTERIA AND THEIR UTILIZATION IN ENHANCING THE EFFICIENCY OF VAM FUNGI(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, 2023-11-08) GUDDETI NAGANJALI; R. LAKSHMIPATHYMycorrhiza Helper Bacteria (MHB) forms symbiotic association with ectomycorrhiza and Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) and promotes root-fungus symbiosis. In the present study 40 MHB were isolated from the rhizosphere soils of different crops from different agroclimatic zones of Andhra Pradesh. Among the 40 MHB isolates, most of them were gram positive (+ve) character, rod shaped and few were motile and endodpore formers. 23 isolates were catalase positive, 18 isolates were positive for starch hydrolysis, 37 isolates were positive for MR test, 20 isolates were positive for VP test, 18 isolates were positive for casein hydrolysis, 12 isolates were positive for indole production and only one isolate was positive for H2S production. 55% of isolates were found to be positive for IAA production, maximum P solubilization was shown by the NDLCP2 with Solubilization Index (4.00) and highest potassium Solubilization Index was shown by the strain NDLCP3 (2.7) and among 40 bacterial isolates 38 bacterial isolates were positive for ammonia production. Based on qualitative screening of MHB isolates for biochemical, physiological and PGPR activity, their influence on in vitro germination of VAM chlamydospores further, by spore production, root colonization and Infective Propagules. The two isolates AMTRG2 and AMTBG8 found efficient among all the 40 MHB isolates screened. These two isolates xviii enhanced the quality of VAM by increasing the sporulation, root colonization and Infective propagules. These two isolates were identified as Priestia megaterium (AMTRG2) and Bacillus safensis strain (AMTBG8) by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Pot culture experiment was conducted with blackgram crop by application of efficient MHB and VAM fungi along with other bioinoculants. These MHB and VAM along with other bioinoculants increased the growth parameters like plant height (35.00 cm), number of branches per plant (14.50), number of pods per plant (26.75), number of seeds per pod (5.50), shoot and root biomass (5.44 g plant-1 and 0.75 g plant-1 respectively) and 100 seed weight and grain yield (5.42g and 2,665.25 kg ha-1 respectively) also increases. Other physico chemical properties of soil like PH (7.5), EC (0.62 dS m-1), organic carbon(0.42%), soil aggregate stability(13.77%), bulk density (1.35 g cm-3) and enzymes like dehydrogenase activity (50.41μg TPF g-1 soil day-1), acid phosphatase (73.42 μg pNP g-1 soil h-1) and alkaline phosphatase (70.94 μg pNP g-1 soil h-1), N, P, K uptake in concentration in stover (1.28%, 0.48% and 3.05% respectively) available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content of the rhizosphere soil (267 kg ha-1 , 81.42 kg ha-1 and 632 kg ha-1) microbial population of rhizosphere soil, AMF spore load (67.75 spores per 10 g soil)and AMF per cent root colonization (92.57%) was highest in T5 (VAM with MHB(7) + Rhizobium +PSB +KRB). This study clearly showed that MHB strains and AMF along with other bioinoculants significantly increased the VAM spore load, VAM per cent root colonization i.e., increased the efficiency of AM fungi and improved the microbial population, available NPK in soil, nutrient uptake NPK in plant, soil enzyme activities and growth and yield of blackgram when compared to the uninoculated control. Thus these two efficient MHB isolates can be better utilized for crop production and AM inoculum production.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF MICROBIAL INOCULANTS ON THE UPTAKE OF NUTRIENTS IN THE MAIZE CROP (Zea mays L.)(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2021-09-01) PRATHIPATI SRIKANTH; VIJAYA GOPAL, AThe present study was EFFECT OF MICROBIAL INOCULANTS ON THE UPTAKE OF NUTRIENTS IN THE MAIZE CROP (Zea mays L.) conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Amaravathi and Advanced Post Graduate Centre, Lam, ANGRAU, Guntur. Microbial inoculants are the very good source to meet the nutrients uptake of crop. Plants need both macro and micronutrients for their growth and development to increase the yields of the crop. Now a days chemical fertilizers were used continuously and higher levels by the farmers has led to damage the soil health, soil fertility, degradation of soil and cause the environmental polluation. Hence, the best alternate strategy is to utilize microorganisms as microbial inoculants. Rhizosphere soils were obtained from different districts (Guntur, Kurnool and Vizianagaram) soils of Andhra Pradesh. In the present study 46 PGP isolates were isolated from rhizosphere soils of maize. Out of 46 isolates, 18 were phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), 15 potassium releasing bacteria (KRB) and 13 sulphur oxidizing bacteria (SOB). All the isolates were characterized by their cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. Results were shown that out of 46 isolates, 28 isolates were showed phosphate solubilization zones, 25 isolates showed potassium solubilization zones, 31 isolates showed IAA production, 21 isolates showed HCN production, 25 isolates showed siderophore production, 8 isolates showed resistant to antibiotic activity and 27 isolates showed sulphur oxidation positive results. Out of 46 isolates, for PSB (GTAP-1), KRB (GRPK-3) and SOB (VBRS-9) isolates were selected as efficient isolates by their PGPR activities. These three isolates were further taken for the field studies to study their effect on growth and yield of maize crop.ThesisItem Open Access DEVELOPMENT OF EFFICIENT MICROBIAL INOCULANTS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LOW ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE FROM TOMATO(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2019) SIVA BHARATHI, BOLLAM; LAKSHMIPATHY, RTomato is consumed as one of the staple vegetable but it goes waste when it is produced in excess. This excess quantity can be better utilized and enhance the demand through value addition by utilizing microorganisms. There are reports of utilizing yeast, lactic acid bacteria and acetic acid bacteria for the processing of fruits and vegetables. Hence, in this study an attempt was made to isolate yeast, lactic acid and acetic acid bacteria from different natural sources and utilize them for processing of tomato. There were 10 yeast, 7 lactic acid bacteria and 6 acetic acid bacteria isolated. These isolates were screened to select efficient isolates suitable for producing low alcoholic beverage from tomato juice. The yeast isolate AY (4.23 %) which produced lowest alcohol and more total phenolic content (19.43 mg/100 ml), the lactic acid bacterial isolate CL1 (5.63 %) which produced higher amount of lactic acid and titrable acidity (0.82 %) and the acetic acid bacterial isolate BA (4.26 %) which produced higher amount of acetic acid, titrable acidity (0.83 %), lycopene content (0.43 mg/100 ml), vitamin C (4.56 mg/100 ml) and total phenols (17.26 mg/100 ml) were selected for producing low alcoholic beverage. The tomato juice was fermented with the above three isolates at different combinations to produce low alcoholic beverage. Higher pH (3.95) and alcohol content (4.23 %) of the fermented juice was recorded in treatment T1 (Tomato juice+ AY) and the higher TSS (6.55o brix), lycopene content (0.52 mg/100 ml), total phenols (18.26 mg/100 ml), acetic acid (4.23 %) and titrable acidity (0.86 %) was observed in treatment T3 (Tomato juice+ AY+ BA). The higher total sugars (7.57 mg/100 ml) and non reducing sugars (6.02 mg/100 ml) were observed in treatment T4 (Tomato juice+ AY+ CL1+ BA). The higher vitamin C content (6.45 mg/100 ml), lactic acid (4.76 %) were recorded in treatment T2 (Tomato juice+ AY+ CL1) and the organoleptic score was maximum (4.7/5.0) in the treatment T2 (Tomato juice+ AY+ CL1). xvi It was not possible to produce beverage with alcohol content below 1.0 per cent with the earlier protocol, hence another protocol was developed where first tomato juice was fermented for 24 hours, then pasteurised and inoculated with efficient lactic and acetic bacterial isolates at different combinations. In this method treatment T3 (Fermented Juice + BA) showed most desirable results with low alcohol content (1.14 %), higher total phenols (19.33 mg/100 ml), vitamin C content (6.88 mg/100 ml), acetic acid (4.26 %) and maximum organoleptic score (4.7/5.0). The above results clearly showed that by re-fermenting the pasteurized 24 hr yeast fermented tomato juice with acetic acid bacterial isolate (BA) for 6 days can produce a functional beverage from tomato which has low alcohol content with high nutritional values and good organoleptic properties.ThesisItem Open Access SELECTION OF AN EFFICIENT AM FUNGI AND STANDARDIZING THE METHOD OF APPLICATION FOR RICE(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2019) ASHOK MOURYA, M; LAKSHMIPATHY, RA pot experiment was conducted to select an efficient AMF for inoculating rice crop from 10 AMF isolates obtained from the rice rhizosphere soil of different agroclimatic zones of Andhra Pradesh. In this study highest plant height (95.80 cm), number of leaves/hill (97.00), tillers and productive tillers per hill (31.67 and 12.00 respectively), shoot and root biomass (15.75 g/hill and 6.30 g/hill respectively), test weight and grain yield (18.26 g and 4520.57 kg ha-1 respectively), N, P, K concentration in straw (0.487%, 0.157% and 1.800% respectively), N, P, K concentration in grain (0.707%, 0.210% and 0.303% respectively), N, P, K uptake in straw (25.30 kg ha-1, 7.96 kg ha-1 and 93.60 kg ha-1 respectively), N, P, K uptake in grain (32.60 kg ha-1, 10.10 kg ha-1 and 13.70 kg ha-1 respectively), available N, P, K (144.54 kg h-1, 32.31 kg ha-1 and 269.61 kg ha-1 respectively), dehydrogenase activity (89.13 µg TPF g-1 soil d-1), acid phosphatase activity (44.23 µg pNP g-1 soil h-1) and alkaline phosphatase activity (67.81 µg pNP g-1 of soil h-1), urease activity (41.50 μg NH4+ g-1 soil h-1), peoxidase activity (45.58 GU g-1 f wt), bacterial population (9.05 × 107 CFU g-1), fungal population (3.10 × 104 CFU g-1), AMF spore load (31.33 spores per 10 g soil), per cent root colonization (47.51%) were highest in the treatments inoculated with Isolate 28 (T8). Based on the above findings Isolate 28 was found efficient among 10 isolates used. The method of application of this isolate was standardized in the second pot experiment. Plant height was highest (116.01cm), number of leaves per hill (149.80), tillers and productive tillers per hill (29.20 and 15.60 respectively), shoot and root biomass (22.33 g/hill and 8.99 g/hill respectively), test weight and grain yield (25.44 g and 6406.90 kg ha-1 respectively), N, P, K uptake in concentration in straw (0.612%, 0.254% and 2.380% respectively), N, P, K concentration in grain (1.224%, 0.260% and 0.488% respectively), N, P, K uptake in straw (45.08 kg ha-1, 18.72 kg ha-1 and 153.24 kg ha-1 respectively), highest N, P, K uptake in grain (78.42 kg ha-1, 16.65 kg ha-1 and xviii 31.26 kg ha-1 respectively),available N, P, K (219.02 kg h-1, 56.32 kg ha-1 and 336.72 kg ha-1 respectively), dehydrogenase activity (121.80 µg TPF g-1 soil day-1), acid phosphatase activity (84.95 µg pNP g-1 soil h-1), alkaline phosphatase activity (94.62 µg pNP g-1 of soil h-1), urease activity (92.94 μg NH4+ g-1 soil h-1), peroxidase activity (66.13 GU g-1 f wt), microbial population of root zone soil, AMF spore load (38.00 spores per 10 g soil) and AMF per cent root colonization (56.60%) was highest in T5 (AMF applied at nursery + Azospirillum, PSB and KRB applied during transplanting). This study clearly showed that isolate 28 (T8) was found efficient as it enhanced the growth and yield, soil microbial population, soil enzymes activity and AMF activity. Hence AMF Isolate 28 can be better utilized along with N, P, K biofertilizers to enhance the growth and yield of rice and AMF should be applied to the nursery.ThesisItem Open Access INFLUENCE OF PINK PIGMENTED FACULTATIVE METHYLOTROPHIC (PPFM) BACTERIA AND Pseudomonas flourescens ON BLACKGRAM (Vigna mungo L.) UNDER DROUGHT CONDITIONS(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2019) NAGENDRA, DANGETI; VIJAYA GOPAL, APink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophic bacteria (PPFM) can enhance plant growth under drought conditions by production of exopolysaccharides and ACC deaminase enzyme activity. In the present study 24 PPFMs were isolated from rhizosphere soils and phyllosphere samples from rice, cotton, maize, redgram, greengram and blackgram crop areas and were tested for biochemical characteristics. Out of 24 isolates, all the isolates were positive for oxidase, catalase, starch hydrolysis, citrate utilization, Thirteen isolates were positive for urease and indole production test and none of the isolates shown positive for casein and voge’s proskauer test. These isolates were further characterized for PGPR activities like phosphate solubilization, IAA production, HCN production and siderophore production. Among 24 isolates, three isolates KNPP (433.33%), KKBL(371.42 %) and GRBS(262.5 %) were shown highest for phosphate solubilization. Two isolates KNPP (++) and GRBS (++) were shown strongest IAA production. Three isolates KNPP (+++), KKN (+++) and KNN(+++) were shown strongest production for siderophores. All the 24 isolates were screened for antagonistic effect against Sclerotium rolfsii and Fusarium oxysporum isolate KNPP shown highest Zone of inhibition (ZOI) (11.1mm) and (19.1mm) All the 24 isolates were tested for drought tolerance activity among these isolates KNPP (61.7mg), GRBP (57.6mg) and GRCF1 (54.1mg) shown high exopolysaccharide production. Two isolates KNPP (+++), GRBS (+++) shown strong response to ACC deaminase activity. For PEG 6000 test at 20% concentration three isolates GRBS (0.02 OD), KNPP and EKAF3 (0.01 OD) were considered efficient. xvii Pot experiment was conducted for evaluating the effect of KNPP isolate and Pseudomonas flourescens on growth and yield of blackgram under drought conditions. Results revealed that all microbial population (bacteria, fungi and actinobacteria) and PPFM population were found highest in T9 (KNPP+ phyllosphere spray+75 % ASM+ P.flourescens) and P.flourescens population was found highest in T6 (PPFM+ Seed treatment + P.flourescens) at flowering stage of blackgram. pH was highest in T10 (KNPP+Soil application+25 % ASM+P.flourescens) and gradually decreased in the inoculated treatments. EC was highest in T9 (KNPP+ phyllosphere spray+75 % ASM+ P.flourescens) at flowering stage of blackgram. Organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium contents of the soil was highest in the treatment T9 (KNPP+ phyllosphere spray+75 % ASM+ P. flourescens) 1.43 %, 218.35, 61.31 and 268.58 kg ha-1 of soil respectively at flowering stage of blackgram. Dehydrogenase, phosphatases both acidic and alkaline and urease enzyme activity were significantly higher at flowering stage in the treatment T9 (KNPP+ phyllosphere spray+75 % ASM+ P. flourescens) 82.25 μg of TPF g-1 of soil d-1, 35.65, 54.90 μg pNP g-1 of soil h-1 and 85.27 μg NH4+ g-1 of soil h-1 respectively. The plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, test weight, seed yield(kg ha-1), seed yield (g/pot) was significantly highest in the treatment T9 (KNPP+ phyllosphere spray+75 % ASM+ P.flourescens) 34.87 cm, 13, 39, 25, 5, 5.05g, 2200(kg ha-1), 15.94g respectively. N, P, K content of blackgram seed and stover were also found highest in the treatment T9 (KNPP+ phyllosphere spray+75 % ASM+ P.flourescens) 3.24 %, 0.25 % and 1.41 % respectively in seed and 1.26 %, 0.34 % and 1.96 % respectively in stover. The results of this study clearly showed that combined application of KNPP and P. flourescens in T9 (KNPP+ phyllosphere spray+75 % ASM+ P. flourescens) significantly improved the microbial population, available NPK in soil, soil enzyme activities growth and yield of blackgram in receding soil moisture conditions compared to control . Hence these isolates can be developed into effective biofertilizers either singly or in combination with other efficient biofertilizers as these are cost effective and eco-friendly in nature.ThesisItem Open Access ISOLATION AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF Paenibacillus spp. AND THEIR EFFECT ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor L.)(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2019) PRASANNA LAKSHMI, P; VIJAYA GOPAL, AThe present study ISOLATION AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF Paenibacillus spp. AND THEIR EFFECT ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor L.) was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Amaravathi and Advanced Post Graduate Centre, Lam, ANGRAU, Guntur. The continuous use of higher levels of chemical fertilizers by the farmers has led to the problem of soil degradation, which is proving detrimental to crop production in our country. The best alternate strategy is to utilize microorganisms as biofertlizers. Therefore, biological nitrogen fixation can effectively contribute to the nitrogen content. Several Paenibacillus strains that were able to fix nitrogen from atmosphere were isolated from roots of different plants and shrubs. Species of the genus Paenibacillus, are promising candidates for crop inoculation which plays an important role by their nitrogen-fixing ability, capacity to solubilization of soil phosphorus, increase soil porosity, suppress plant pathogens and promote plant growth through the production of phytohormones (auxins and cytokinins) and antimicrobial substances. N2-fixing Paenibacillus species have increasingly been used in non legume crop species such as sugar beet, canola, wheat, and conifer species. Twenty eight Paenibacillus isolates were isolated from twenty seven rhizosphere soil samples of sorghum collected from different parts of Andhra Pradesh i.e., from Kurnool, Prakasam, Anantapur and Kadapa districts. All the 28 isolates were able to withstand heat treatment and grow on N- free media. All the isolates were characterized by their cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. Microscopy revealed that all the isolates were Gram positive, endospore forming rods. Further, all the Paenibacillus isolates were screened for plant growth promoting attributes. xix Results revealed that all the isolates showed negative result for HCN production, 26 isolates showed positive result for ammonia production, 15 isolates showed positive result for IAA production, 13 isolates showed to produce siderophores, 20 isolates showed phosphate solubilization and 20 isolates showed positive result for Acetylene Reduction Assay (ARA). The twenty Paenibacillus isolates that showed nitrogenase enzyme activity in ARA technique were further taken for molecular characterization of nifH genes (nitrogenase genes) for the detection nitrogen fixing ability. The nifH gene was observed in 4 isolates (PiPP-1, ARP-1, PNP-3 and PMP-1) at 360 bp similar to 2 reference strains. Among twenty isolates of Paenibacillus three efficient isolates were selected based on their PGPR characteristics i.e., isolates with nifH gene and high nitrogenase enzyme activity (PiPP-1, ARP-1 and PNP-3). Field experiment was conducted for evaluating the effect of Paenibacillus spp on growth and yield of sorghum. Results revealed that all microbial population (bacteria, fungi and actinobacteria) and Paenibacillus population were found highest in T8 (PB1 + PB2 + PB3 + 75 % RDN) at flowering stage of sorghum. pH was highest T13 (100 % RDF) and T1 (control) and gradually decreased in the Paenibacillus consortia inoculated treatments. EC was highest in T8 (PB1 + PB2 + PB3 + 75 % RDN) in the Paenibacillus consortia inoculated treatments and gradually decreased in inorganic fertilizer alone applied treatments and in control. Organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium contents of the soil was highest in the treatment T8 (PB1 + PB2 + PB3 + 75 % RDN) 1.66 %, 265.45, 63.49 and 415.36 kg ha-1 of soil respectively at flowering stage of sorghum crop. Dehydrogenase, phosphatases both acidic and alkaline and urease enzyme activity were significantly higher at flowering stage in the treatment T8 (PB1 + PB2 + PB3 + 75 % RDN) 118.59 μg of TPF g-1 of soil d-1, 69.19, 97.73 μg pNP g-1 of soil h-1 and 147.17 μg NH4+ g-1 of soil h-1 respectively. The plant height, length, weight and the number of seeds per ear head, test weight, shoot and root biomass were significantly highest in the treatment T8 (PB1 + PB2 + PB3 + 75 % RDN) 183.93 cm, 32.73 cm, 67.72 g, 2236.00, 2.46 g, 73.62 g and 10.18 g respectively. N, P, K content of sorghum grain and stover were also found highest in the treatment T8 (PB1 + PB2 + PB3 + 75 % RDN) 1.20 %, 0.64 % and 0.47 % respectively in grain and 0.96 %, 0.43 % and 1.56 % respectively in stover. The grain and stover yield of sorghum crop was significantly highest in the treatment T8 (PB1 + PB2 + PB3 + 75 % RDN) 43.51 q ha-1 and 66.59 q ha-1 respectively which were 25.94 % and 12.79 % higher when compared to the application of inorganic fertilizers (100 % RDF) alone. The results of this study clearly showed that combined application of Paenibacillus consortia and inorganic fertilizers (PB1 + PB2 + PB3 + 75 % RDN) significantly improved the microbial population, available NPK in soil, soil enzyme activities and growth and yield of sorghum crop when compared to the application of inorganic fertilizers (100 % RDF) alone. Hence these isolates can be developed into effective biofertilizers either singly or in combination with other efficient biofertilizers as these are cost effective and eco-friendly in nature.ThesisItem Open Access IMPACT OF DIFFERENT RICE FARMING SYSTEMS ON DIVERSITY OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL (AM) FUNGI(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) SAIKUMAR, PUDI; LAKSHMIPATHY, RStudy on “Impact of different rice farming systems on diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi” was conducted at Agricultural research station, Amaravathi, Guntur during Kharif 2017-2018 by collecting the rhizosphere soil samples and root samples from selected agro climatic zones of Andhra Pradesh. The present study was undertaken to investigate the occurrence of AMF in different rice farming systems of selected agro climatic zones in Andhra Pradesh during different cropping stages of rice. A critical bench marks have been fixed in rice farming systems viz., intensive farming, natural farming and organic farming systems of North Coastal, Godavari, Krishna and Southern Zones to collect the rhizosphere soil samples and plant roots. These rhizosphere soil samples and plant roots were used for the enumeration of AMF spore density, per cent root colonization and spore types. The AMF spores density among different farming systems selected, it was more in soils collected from natural farming and least in case of intensive farming. The AMF spores density was highest in case of soil samples collected from paddy fields of Godavari zone and least in case of Southern Zone of Andhra Pradesh. The AMF per cent root colonization was more in case of root samples collected from paddy fields of Krishna Zone and least in case of Southern Zone. The AMF per cent root colonization among different rice farming systems selected, AMF percent root colonization was more in natural farming and least in case of intensive farming. Seventy one AMF spore types obtained from different rice farming systems of selected 4 agro climatic zones of Andhra Pradesh during 3 cropping stages rice were characterized based on spore morphology and they belong to 23 AMF species. Eleven AMF species from North Coastal Zone, 10 AMF species from Godavari Zone, 12 AMF species from Krishna Zone and 14 AMF species from Southern Zone were noticed. Regarding the frequency of distribution, Glomus fasciculatum was distributed more frequently in intensive farming system. While, in natural farming system Acaulospora morrowae was more frequently distributed. In organic farming system Acaulospora lacunosa was more frequently distributed. The genus Glomus was distributed more frequently than the genus Acaulospora. Shannon-Wiener diversity index of AM fungi was determined and it was more in organic farming system than other farming systems. Regarding agro climatic zones, AMF diversity was more in Krishna zone than other 3 zones. AMF diversity was more during grand growth stage compared to initial and harvesting stage. This study clearly showed a variation in physico-chemical and biochemical properties of soil, AMF activity and diversity of rhizosphere soils of different farming systems of selected agro climatic zones during 3 cropping stages of rice cultivation.ThesisItem Open Access ISOLATION AND SCREENING OF DROUGHT AND SALINE TOLERANT RHIZOSPHERIC PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING BACTERIA FROM SALINE SOILS AND THEIR EFFECT ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF GROUND NUT (Arachis hypogaea L.)(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) NARENDRA REDDY, A; VIJAYA GOPAL, AStress tolerant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can enhance plant growth under stress conditions by production of exopolysaccharides and ACC deaminase enzyme activity. In the present study 48 stress tolerant PGPR were isolated from rhizospheric soil of saline effected areas and were tested for different plant growth promoting activities. Out of 48 isolates, 15 were Rhizobium, 15 Pseudomonas, 10 sulphur oxidizing bacteria (SOB) and 8 potassium releasing bacteria (KRB). Out of these 48, one efficient isolate was selected from each group i.e., Rhizobium (BRR3), Pseudomonas (VKP2), potassium releasing bacteria (AKK2) and sulphur oxidizing bacteria (NJS2) for further studies. These four isolates contain high ACC deaminase activity [BRR3 (+++), VKP2 (+++), AKK2 (+++), NJS2 (++)] and high exopolysaccharide production BRR3 36.2 mg ml-1, VKP2 30.2 mg ml-1, AKK2 21.6 mg ml-1, NJS2 24.6 mg ml-1. All the isolates were positive for the production of siderophore, IAA, ammonia and phosphate solubilization. These selected strains were tested in soil to assess their effectiveness against stress tolerance to improve the growth of groundnut under moisture stress conditions in saline soils. Pot culture experiment was conducted with groundnut crop at different water holding capacities (25 %, 50 % and 75 % WHC). The results revealed that reduction in soil moisture levels significantly reduced the growth of groundnut. However, inoculation of groundnut with stress tolerant rhizobacteria isolated from saline effected areas containing ACC deaminase and exopolysaccharide production ability significantly increased stress tolerance and enhanced the growth and yields of groundnut. These stress tolerant PGPR improved the growth parameters like plant height (35.50 cm), number of nodules per plant (69), number of pods per plant (11.0), number of seeds per pod (1.8) and also seed yield (1415.7 kg ha-1) compared to control without inoculation. 20 Application of stress tolerant bacteria significantly enhanced the activity of soil enzymes like dehydrogenase (226.50 μg of TPF g-1 of soil d-1), phosphatase (alkaline 140.23 μg pNP g-1 h-1, acidic 125.0 μg pNP g-1 h-1) and urease (119.03 μg urea g-1 h-1), highest enzyme activity observed at flowering stage of groundnut when all the PGPRs applied in combinations. Other Physico-chemical properties of soil like pH (7.90), EC (3.27 dSm-1), organic carbon (0.77 %), nitrogen (398.18 kg ha-1), phosphorous (96.99 kg ha-1), potassium (436.73 kg ha-1) and N, P, K content of plant (1.71, 0.63 and 1.81 % respectively) also improved at flowering stage of groundnut. In addition to this proline content of plant was increased under stress conditions i.e., at 25 % WHC, it was recorded as 66.97 μ moles g-1. Finally, from these results it is concluded that combined application of stress tolerant PGPRs significantly increased the growth and yield of groundnut by 38.63 %. 33.89 % and 26.26 % at 75 %, 50 % and 25 % moisture levels respectively compared to control.