Effect of Micronutrients on the Performance of Azospirillum brasilense on the Nutrient Uptake, Growth and Yield in Maize Crop
B. Amitha Ganapathy, V.P. Savalgi
Abstract
An experiment was carried out at the Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad during 2003-04 to study the effect of micronutrients enriched Azospirillum biofertilizer on growth, nutrient uptake and yield of maize crop. Results from field trial revealed that seed treatment of Azospirillum grown in broths containing combination of micronutrients like Zn + Fe + Mo, Zn + Mo, Fe + Mo and Zn alone gave significantly higher root and shoot length, increased dry matter production, improved nutrient uptake, higher endorhizosphere Azospirillum population and also significant increase of grain yield and stover yield was noticed in maize when compared to controls. The maximum grain yield of 34.32 q/ha (26.48%) was noticed in the treatment with Azospirillum grown in the broth containing Zn + Fe + Mo when compared to uninoculated (25.23 q/ha) control and inoculated control (28.13 q/ha) (10.30%).
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