Impact of potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB) and sources of potassium on yield attributes of maize (Zea mays L)

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at Agricultural Research Farm of Banaras Hindu University Varanasi during Kharif 2017 and 2018. Effect of two potassium solubilizing bacterial strains i.e. KSB1 (KJ410663) and KSB2 (KJ410665) were assessed in combination with mineral K. Data revealed that combination of inorganic source and mineral source i.e. biotite along with KSB significantly increased number of lines cob-1, number of grains cob-1, cob length, cob weight, grain weight cob-1and 100-seed weight of crop over uninoculated control. Application of 100% RDK through inorganic and mineral source of K with KSB1 gave maximum yield attributes as compared to control. Maximum grain and stubble yield were found to be higher with treatment 75% RDK + 25% Biotite + KSB1 compared to control and reference strain. Therefore, KSB1 strain was superior to be KSB2.