Effect of formulations of microbial consortia on the nutrient content in maize shoot (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of developed formulations of microbial consortia on the nutrient content in maize crop. A total of five formulations of two different microbial consortia were developed. Microbial consortia includes the agriculturally beneficial microorganisms such as nitrogen fixer (either of Azospirillum ACD-15 or Gluconacetobacter G1),¬ P-solubilizing (Pseudomonas striata) and K-solubilizing bacterium (KSB) in different formulations viz., kaolinite, bentonite, lignite, liquid and Na-alginate formulations. The results showed that the application of these microbial consortia in different formulations enhanced nutrient (N, P and K) content in maize shoot over uninoculated and recommended biofertilizer (Azospirillum ACD-15 and Pseudomonas striata) application. Among the five formulations used, liquid formulation showed the highest N, P and K content in maize shoot at 45 DAS and K content at 90 DAS. Na-alginate formulation showed the highest N and P at 90 DAS. This study identifies the importance of formulation of bioinoculants consortia as they increase the shelf life of bioinoculants in consortia.