“INFLUENCE OF BACTERIAL CONSORTIA IN CONJUNCTION WITH BIO-ENHANCERS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF FOXTAIL MILLET (Setaria italica L.)”
Loading...
Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
PROFESSOR JAYASHANKAR TELANGANA STATE AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
Abstract
A field experiment was carried out during kharif 2019 on sandy loam soil
at College Farm, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, PJTSAU entitled
“Influence of bacterial consortia in conjunction with bio-enhancers on
growth and yield of foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.)”. The soil was slightly
acidic with a pH of 6.42 and EC of 0.08 dSm-1
, low in organic carbon (0.45
%),„low‟ in available N (172 kg ha-1
),„medium‟ in available P (22 kg ha-1
),„high‟
in available K (398 kg ha-1
) and „sufficient‟ in Zinc content (0.65 ppm). The
experiment was laid out in simple randomized block design and replicated thrice.
Eight treatments were taken viz.T1 - Control (No chemical fertilizers/ bacterial
consortia/ bio-enhancers), T2- 100% Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF)
(40:20:0 kg N: P2O5: K2O ha-1
), T3 - 50% RDF, T4 - Bacterial consortia @ 2.5
kg/250 kg FYM through soil application, T5 - Seed treatment with Beejamrutha
@ 50 L ha-1
and soil application of Jeevamrutha @ 500L ha-1
at fortnightly
interval, T6 - T4 + T5 , T7 - T6 +100% RDF , T8 - T6 + 50% RDF.
Taller plants were recorded with the application of bacterial consortia
and bio-enhancers along with 100% RDF (T7) and 100% RDF alone (T2) which
were superior to the rest of the treatments at 20, 40, 60 DAS and harvest. LAI
and dry matter production (DMP) at 20 and 40 DAS; Number of tillers at 20,40
and 60 DAS also followed the similar trend. However, LAI at 60 DAS, tillers at
harvest, DMP at 60 DAS and harvest were significantly superior in T7 over the
rest of the treatments. The combined application of both the bioagents (T6) was
superior over their individual application (T4 or T5) with respect to growth
parameters but not when added along with 50% RDF.
The population of bacteria and activity of enzymes like urease,
dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatase in the soil were enhanced at 50%
flowering and declined by harvest. They were significantly higher in all the
treatments which received bacterial consortia + bio-enhancers (T6, T7 and T8)
compared to other treatments. The sole application of bacterial consortia (T4) or
bio-enhancers (T5) also registered enhanced enzyme activity compared to control
but fertilizers alone i.e., 100% or 50% RDF (T2 and T3, respectively) were poor
in the activity of above enzymes.
The yield attributes such as length of the panicle, number of grains per
panicle and test weight were comparable between T7 and T2 as well as T8 and T3,
while significant increase in number of panicles and filled grains per panicle was
observed with conjunctive use of bioagents with 100% RDF (T7) or 50% RDF
(T8) over sole application of fertilizers (T2 and T3, respectively).
Significantly higher grain yield of foxtail millet was recorded with T7
which was superior to the rest of the treatments. Conjunctive use of bacterial
consortia + bio-enhancers with fertilizers (T7 and T8) enhanced the grain yield by
18.9% over 100% RDF alone (T2) and 14.5% over 50% RDF alone (T3). The
fertilizer use efficiency was also enhanced by 5.5 and 7.6%, correspondingly.
Straw yield obtained was comparable between T7 and T2; T8 and T3. Conjunctive
use of bacterial consortia + bio-enhancers (T6) produced superior grain and straw
yield over their individual application.
Higher N and P uptake at harvest was recorded in T7 which was superior
to the other treatments. K uptake by the crop was also highest in T7 followed by
the T8 (50% RDF + bioagents) which was at par with 100% RDF (T2) or 50%
RDF alone (T3). Similarly the uptake of Zn was also higher in T7 which was
superior to RDF alone (T2) and the later was at par with T8 and T6. The uptake of
both K and Zn in conjunction of bioagents (T6) was significantly superior to their
individual application (T4 or T5) which were at par with each other but superior
to control (T1).
The quality parameters like crude protein and crude fibre content were
comparable between T7 and T2; T8 and T3, but superior to sole or combined
application of bioagents (T4 or T5 or T6).
The soil status of N and P was significantly enhanced in T7 and T8
compared to initial value and significantly superior to the other treatments. The
physico-chemical properties of soil like pH, EC and OC; available K and Zn
status remained unaltered after harvest of the crop under different treatments.
The cost of cultivation in the treatments which received bioagents (T6, T7
and T8) was more than fertilizer application alone. Higher gross and net returns
were realized in T7 followed by 100% RDF alone (T2) but the benefit: cost ratio
obtained with T2 (100% RDF) was the highest and superior to the rest of the
treatments including T7 (conjunction of 100% RDF + bioagents) which was the
next best treatment.
Based on the above results, it can be concluded that bacterial consortia in
conjunction with bio-enhancers (beejamrutha and jeevamrutha) along with 100%
RDF enhanced the growth and yield of foxtail millet with positive influence on
soil biological and chemical properties.
Description
Keywords
Citation
D10,506