Effect of different microbial inoculants on growth and physiology of maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Vertisols of western Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

Bio-fertilizers have prodigious potential to improve the plant nutrition by replacing synthetic fertilizers for eco-friendly agriculture. Bio-fertilizers have fabulous tendency for decreasing the requirement of synthetic fertilizers without compromising on crop yield. In order to investigate the effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on improvement in quality parameters and was conducted at KVK (Krishi Vigyan Kendra), Ujjain. In this study, factorial experiment based on completely randomized block design with three replications was used. The microbial inoculants were mixed with compost and cocopit @15g/Kg. Results of the study showed that all treatments significantly increased all growth quality parameters. Maximum increase in germination percentage and other quality parameters were found in Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) in case of Maize and Azatobacter in case of Wheat seed, respectively. Highest germination % (83.8% / 83.8%), Shoot length (25.8 / 16.13 cm), Root length (10.1 / 10 cm), Total seedling length (35.3 / 25 cm), dry wt. (0.27 / 0.06 mg), SV-I (3429 / 2475 mg), SV-II (26.3 / 6), Leaf area (16.35 / 3.7 cm2). Results suggested that applications of all microbial seed treatments did not affect adversely and proved to be beneficial for maximum seed quality parameters of the selected seeds over control one.