Influence of potassium and potassium solubilizing bacteria on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of potassium and potassium solubilizing bacteria in maize on sandy loam soils at College Farm, Agricultural College, Mahanandi, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University during rabi Season, 2023-2024. The experiment comprises seven treatments with different levels of potassium (25, 50, 75 and 100% recommended dose) and KSB as soil application. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Among different treatments tried in experimentation, application of Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria (KSB) along with 100% recommended dose of K2O (T7) increased the growth attributes like plant height, Leaf Area Index (LAI), SPAD chlorophyll meter readings, dry matter accumulation, and grain and stover yields which were on par with KSB + 75% recommended dose of K2O (T6), recommended dose of fertilizer N-P2O5- K2O @ 260: 80: 80 kg ha-1 (T2).