Biofertilizers and Inorganic Fertilizers Application Impact on Available Nutrients in Soil of Kharif Maize

Abstract

A field experiment entitled “Biofertilizers and inorganic fertilizers application impact on available nutrients in soil of kharif maize” was conducted at Agriculture College Farm, Bapatla, during kharif of 2020-21. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with seven treatments and replicated thrice. The treatments consisted of T1- Control; T2- 100% RDF; T3- 125% RDF; T4 – 100% RDF +Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (VAM); T5- 100% RDF +VAM + Azospirillum + Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB); T6- 75 % RDF + VAM; T7- 75 % RDF + VAM + Azospirillum + PSB. We recorded the available macro nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and micronutrients (zinc, iron, manganese and copper) of maize during the study. The results revealed that available nitrogen during kharif of 2020-21 was significantly (P < 0.05) higher with 125 % RDF (T3) that was on par with T5 (100% RDF + VAM + Azospirillum + PSB) and T4 (100% RDF + VAM). Higher available phosphorus and potassium were recorded in the treatment T5 and it was on par with T7, T3 and T4 at knee high, tasseling and harvest stage of maize. However, micronutrient status was higher with application of 100% RDF +VAM + Azospirillum + PSB but non-significant at all the growth stages of maize during both the years of study. The biofertilizers have to be applied side-by-side with inorganic fertilizers to improve nutrient availability and increased the fertility status of soil and productivity.