Effect of FYM, bio-inoculants and elemental sulphur on inorganic p fractions at critical crop growth stages of maize in calcareous soil

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out to find out the effect of FYM, bio-inoculants and elemental sulphur on the inorganic P fractions of the soil and the availability of phosphorus at the critical crop growth stages of maize at the glass house of Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The treatments involved two factors namely FYM at four levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 percent of recommended dose) and Phosphate solubilising treatments (PSTs) three types (Bacillus megaterium, Pseudomonas chlororaphis and elemental sulphur at 0.5 t ha-1 with Thiobacillus thiooxidans). The results revealed that the FYM applied at 150 percent has enhanced all the fractions of P at tasseling and maturity stage of the crop and also improved the available P compared to other treatments. It is concluded that the application of higher dose of FYM along with bio-inoculants could enhance the P availability to the crops.