A Co – Inoculation Study on the Potential Integrate of Azospirillum and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria for Improving Plant Growth and Yield

Abstract

Integrated nutrient management strategies involving chemical and biologic fertilizer is a real challenge to stop using the high rates of agrochemicals and to enhance the crop production. The present investigation was aimed at determining the effect of co-inoculation of biofertilizer application on growth and yield of lady's finger (Abel moschus esculentus). Field experiments were carried out for 45 days. Seedling of lady's finger (Abel moschus esculentus) was treated with T0 – control, T1 – Azospirillum, T2 – Phophate solubilizing bacteria, T3 – chemical fertilizer (urea), T4 – Azospirillum + Phosphate solubilizing bacteria and T5 – Azospirillum + Phosphate solubilizing bacteria + Chemical fertilizer (urea). Observations showed that co-inoculation of Azospirillum and Phosphate solubilizing bacteria showed a significant performance in number of leaves, length and breadth of the leaves (leaf area), shoot length, plant height, root length, dry weight and number of pods (yield) when compared with single inoculations and control. The co-inoculation of biofertilizer showed a similar effect with mixed inoculation of Azospirillum, Phosphate solubilizing bacteria and Chemical fertilizer (urea). The pre-cropped and cropped soils were analyzed.  The overall result suggests that co-inoculation of Azospirillum and Phosphate solubilizing bacteria improved soil characters, plant growth and yield.