Development and evaluation of agriculturally important microorganisms (AIMs) consortia for improved production of lentil (Lens culinaris M.) and soil health
Loading...
Date
2022-08
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145
Abstract
An investigation to develop and evaluate the Agriculturally Important Microorganisms (AIMs) consortia for improved production of Lentil (Lens culinaris M.) and soil health was carried out in the Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture and Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand during the years 2019-20 and 2021-22. Out of 5 isolates 03 of Rhizobium i.e. LR-35-01, LA-17 and LB-11 and 02 of PGPRs i.e. KB-133 and LK-791 were selected, screened and found compatible to each other. All selected isolated were characterized for various biochemical, PGP traits and enzymatic activities. All the five isolates produced IAA and siderophore and also found to positive for phosphorus solubilization. Only Rhizobium isolates were positive for zinc solubilization and two isolates i.e. LB-11 and KB-133 were HCN producers. Molecular characterization and identification of all five selected isolated were also performed. Liquid and carrier based consortia formulation of selected isolated were prepared. Viable counts of liquid consortium inoculation KB-133+LR-35-01 recorded higher population compared with Talc based consortium up to six months storage at room temperature. The efficiency of all five Rhizobium and PGPRs as alone and their six consortia were also compared in field for lentil (variety PL-8) during Rabi 2019-20 and Rabi 2021-22. The experimental soil was sandy loam with neutral pH, normal EC having 0.62 and 0.68% organic carbon, 157.33 and 159.24 kg ha-1 available N, 19.10 and 20.84 kg ha-1 available P, 210 and 220 kg ha-1 available K, 0.59 and 0.74 ppm available Zn during both years 2019-20 and 2021-22, respectively. Treatments comprising 5 alone and 6 consortia inoculants with one uninoculated control, RDF (20 kg N ha-1+ 40 kg P2O5 ha-1+20 kg K2O ha-1), RDF-N @ 20 kg N ha-1 and RDF-P @ 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 were laid out in randomized block design in 3 replications. Inoculation of different Rhizobium and PGPRs alone improved nodulation, various plant and root growth parameters, grain and straw yield, nutrient accumulation as well as soil properties and economics (B:C ratio) compared to uninoculated control during the years 2019-20 and 2021-22. Among individual inoculations, LA-17 produced highest nodule number, nodule dry weight, plant height, root length, plant dry weight, root dry biomass, root volume, grain yield, straw yield, nutrients content and uptake in grain and straw (N, P and Zn) as well as available nutrients in soil (N, P and Zn), organic carbon and enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, urease, acid and alkaline phosphates) during both the years. Further over all consortia inoculation also enhanced plant and root growth parameters, nodulation, yield attributes, yields, nutrient accumulation, nutrients availability and enzymes in soil and B:C ratio over their mono inoculation of Rhizobium and PGPRs during both the years. Consortium inoculation of KB-133+LA-17 produced maximum nodule number at 45 and 60 DAS and nodule dry weight at 60 DAS which was also slightly higher over RDF during both the years. Consortium inoculation KB-133+LA-17 also showed maximum plant dry weight at 60 DAS and at harvest, root dry biomass and root volume at 60 DAS, highest number of pods per plant, grain yield and straw yield as well as various nutrients (N, P and Zn) content and uptake by lentil and soil health parameters which was higher over the individual inoculation of KB-133, LA-17 and RDF during both years. The productivity of lentil in terms of B:C ratio was recorded highest in the consortium inoculation KB-133+LA-17 with Rs. 52684 and 66964 ha-1 net returns and B:C ratio 2.36 and 2.81 during the year 2019-20 and 2021-22, respectively followed by KB- 133+LR-35-01, LK-791+LB-11, LK-791+LA-17, KB-133+LB-11 and LK-791+LR-35-01 which was higher over RDF and other individual inoculation treatments. However, KB-133+LA-17 gave significantly higher B:C ratio over RDF. Thus, the present study provides a strong basis for the recommendation of consortia inoculation of Rhizobium and PGPRs which performed well in improving nodulation, plant growth and yield of lentil and reduces excessive usage of fertilizers and thus, restores soil fertility and maintains soil and environmental quality.