Effect of phosphorus fertilization and microbial inoculants on yield, phosphorus use-efficiency and available phosphorus in maize (Zea mays)- wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted between 2012-14 to investigate the effect of different phosphorus levels (control-no P, 33% P, 50% P, 100% P and 100% P in 3-splits of the recommended dose of P) and microbial inoculants (un-inoculated control, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, AM phosphate solubilising bacteria, PSB and AM+PSB) in maize-wheat system. The study revealed that the maize and wheat grain yields were increased by 20% and 40%, respectively, under 100% P which were significantly higher over control. The total P uptake by maize and wheat varies from 11.7–20.7 kg/ha and 17.7–32.4 kg/ha, respectively. The highest apparent recovery (AR) in both the crops was recorded when 50% P was added with AM+PSB inoculation whereas, a significant reduction in AR was recorded with increase in fertilizer P beyond 50% of recommended P. Agronomic efficiency was highest under 50% P averaged across microbial inoculants in both maize (32.5 kg grain/kg P) and wheat (78.5 kg grain/kg P). Grain yield of both maize and wheat was significantly and positively correlated with Olsen P content at tasseling (r = 0.30*) and panicle emergence (r = 0.35**). The higher P use-efficiency under 50% recommended P along with microbial inoculants suggests applying lower doses of P fertilizer along with microbial inoculants to achieve optimum yield in maize-wheat system without any adverse impact on soil fertility.

Biopriming with Bacillus subtilis Enhanced the Sulphur Use Efficiency of Indian Mustard under Graded Levels of Sulphur Fertilization

“…In our study, the treatment showed a significant increase in AR S while an insignificant increase in AE S was observed. A similar effect on AE P and AR P in response to seed inoculation with microbial agents was recorded by Haokip et al [74]. Inoculation of maize seed with S-oxidizing bacteria and varied S sources resulted in a profound increase in S uptake [75].…”

Deciphering the role of phosphorus management under conservation agriculture based wheat production system

“…The increasing P integration rates stimulated root activity, nutrient absorption from the soil solution, and translocation from source to sink, indirectly influencing protein and amino acid levels (Kumar and Saini, 2022). Moreover, the abundant P supply may require the breakdown of carbohydrates into acetyl co-enzyme A, an essential component for the production of amino acids and proteins (Haokip et al, 2019;Ali et al, 2020). Thus, external application of P amplified the grain amino acids and net protein yield in our study.…”