Effect of Azotobacter and PSB formulations, rates and methods of application on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soil properties
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Date
2015-02
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
Pantnagar, during Rabi seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14 to study the effect of different rates and methods of application of carrier based and liquid bioinoculants of Azotobacter and PSB in combination of chemical fertilizers on growth and yield of wheat. Treatments comprising 100%, 75% and 50% of recommended dose of N and P fertilizers (120 kg N and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1) alone and with application of liquid and carrier based inoculants of Azotobacter and PSB through seed treatment and in soil by mixing with vermicompost at two rates were laid out in Randomized block design in plots of 3 m x 4 m in 3 replications. The experimental soil was neutral in reaction, medium in organic C and available phosphorus and low in available N and K. The recommended agronomic practices were followed throughout experiment for raising the crop. Results revealed that application of 100% NP showed maximum plant height, grain and straw yields, nutrient uptake and available NPK in soil at different intervals. The mean grain yield due to soil application of carrier biofertilizer at 4 kg/acre rate and liquid
biofertilizers at 250 and 500 ml/acre rates with 75% NP was significantly more by 10.9, 10.5
% and 10.8 over 75 % NP alone, respectively. The trend that observed in grain and straw yield was also observed in various yield attributes, viz. total tillers, effective tillers, ear length, and number of spikelet / ear, number of grains / ear and 1000 grain weight. These treatments also significantly increased N, P and K uptake by grain and straw. All biofertilizer treatments with 75% or 50% NP gave significantly more available N and P, microbial biomass C, activities of dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase in soil at different intervals over respective doses of NP alone. The different biofertilizer treatments with 50 % NP also showed similar positive response for growth, yields, nutrient uptake and available N and P in soil in comparison to 50 % NP alone. The maximum gross and net returns of Rs.78328.00 and Rs. 59619.00 and B:C ration of 3.19 were noted with soil application of 250 ml/acre liquid biofertilizers in combination of 75% NP. The carrier and liquid formulations of the biofertilizers at respective rates were comparable in their performance. Irrespective of formulation and doses, application of biofertilizers in soil was found better than seed treatment for different recorded parameters. The increasing rates of the carrier and liquid biofertilizers applied in soil slightly improved the various recorded parameters. An application of 250 ml/ acre liquid biofertilizers in soil with 75% NP was found optimum for the growth, yield, nutrient uptake and available NPK, microbial properties, in soil at different intervals and gave maximum net return and B:C ratio than all biofertilizers treatments.
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Keywords
application methods, biofertilizers, sowing, azotobacter, grain, wheats, planting, yields, developmental stages, crop residues, formulations, wheat, triticum aestivum, soil properties, soil biology, solubilisation, bacteria, phosphorus,