Effect of Microbial Consortium on Growth, Yield and Quality Parameters of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Under Field Condition
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Date
2016-06
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University of Agricultural Science, Dharwad
Abstract
After compatibility testing, a microbial consortium was developed which consisted of Azospirillum (ACD 15), Pseudomonas striata, K solubilizer (KSB 27), Pseudomonas sp. (B-15), Leuconostoc mesenteroides (LAB 82) and Glomus macrocarpum. Its effects on the growth, yield, nutrient uptake and rhizosphere microbiology of onion were assessed in a farmer’s field, at graded levels of NPK fertilizers. In general, the microbial consortium significantly improved all these parameters. The microbial consortium even at 50 per cent NPK level (T4) has significantly increased the plant growth andyield parameters, when compared to uninculated control with 100 per cent NPK (T1). This was found to be the best treatment with increased bulb yield of 23.35 per cent, besides saving 50 per cent NPK fertilizers. The nutrient uptake of N, P, K and S was also increased significantly due to the inoculation of the microbial consortium. The rhizosphere microbial population increased significantly, with a concomitant increase in dehydrogenase, phosphatase and urease activities, due to the inoculation of microbial consortium as compared to the control. Besides increasing yield and yield components, the microbial consortium also increased quality parameters. TSS content and pungency were found to be increased by 30.69 and 31.51 per cent respectively, due to inoculation of microbial consortium over control. Thus, the present study has indicated that the microbial consortium with 50 per cent NPK was the best treatment in getting increased growth, bulb yield, nutrient uptake and quality parameters in onion, with a saving of input cost on chemical fertilizers by 50 per cent.