Impact of co-inoculation of plant growth promoting actinomycetes and biofertilizers on mustard (Brassica juncea L.) crop
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Date
2020
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CCSHAU, Hisar
Abstract
Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) a major oilseed crop and the second largest agriculture commodity after cereals in India, plays a significant role in Indian economy. Due to inconsistent climatic changes, occurrence of diseases and implementation of unsuitable dosage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, overall production of mustard has been comparatively static for last two decades regardless of the use of numerous traditional and breeding approaches. Actinomycetes, a class of actinobacteria are Gram-positive bacteria found in soil and possessing various plant growth traits can play significant role in improving growth and yield of mustard crop.
In the present study, two biofertilizer cultures viz., Azotobacter chroococcum and phosphate solubilizing bacterium (PSB) along with seven available actinomycetes isolates AK1, AK3, AK6, AK11, AK17, AK20 and AK37 were screened for different plant growth promoting traits including IAA production, phosphate solubilization, potassium solubilization, zinc solubilization, siderophore production, HCN production, cellulose and chitin degradation under in vitro conditions. The actinomycetes isolates exhibited three or more plant growth promoting traits and were compatible with standard biofertilizer cultures. Actinomycete isolates exhibiting multiple plant growth promoting traits along with biofertilizer cultures were evaluated for growth promotion of mustard under pot culture conditions during 2019-2020. Actinomycete isolate AK17 was adjudged best in improving growth andseed yield of mustard crop when coinoculated with Azotobacter chroococcum and PSB. The isolates AK20 & AK37 were found promising in improving vegetative growth only. The actinomycete isolate AK17 identified by 16S rDNA sequencing showing 99% similiarity with Streptomyces pseudgriseolus, could further be explored as bioinoculant in agricultural practices.