The Impact of Nitrogen Fixers and Phosphate Solubilizing Microbes on Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) Yield

Abstract

Objective: The inoculants mainly nitrogen fixers and phosphate solubilizing microbes had the influence on plant growth attributes. The current study was done to assess the fertilizing activity of A. chroocaccum, B. megathirium strains on growth, yield parameters and nutrient uptake for Sorghum bicolor. Methods: Isolation, identification of the nitrogen fixing bacterium- A. chroocaccum and Phosphate solubilizing microbe- B. megathirium and the growth and yield parameters of Sorghum bicolor as well as NPK uptake levels were studied. Results: A. chroocaccum and B. megathirium exhibited proliferation of microbial-population in soil by synergistic interaction with plants and the application increases the availability of NPK in the soil after harvest of crop. These beneficial inoculants are also known to help in the uptake of some other nutrients. The maximum plant beneficial aspects were noticed in the plants inoculated with 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF)+A. chroocaccum+ B. megathirium and least was noticed in the control plants at all growth stages and at the time of harvest. Conclusion: From the study, it can be concluded that the beneficial effect of A. chroocaccum and B. megathirium is visualized in sorghum crop with improved yield and nutrient uptake. So this species can be used extensively for future inoculation of the Sorghum crop for better growth and development and for good returns in an ecological way.

Sorghum-Phosphate Solubilizers Interactions: Crop Nutrition, Biotic Stress Alleviation, and Yield Optimization

“…In a similar recent study, the impact of the asymbiotic nitrogen fixer ( A. chroococcum ) and P solubilizer ( B . megaterium ) on growth, yield parameters, and nutrient uptake of Sorghum bicolor grown under greenhouse conditions varied considerably ( Vijayalakshmi et al, 2020 ). The formulations consisting of A. chroococcum and B. megaterium magnified the microbial populations in soil and through synergistic interaction increased the bioavailability of N and P and some other nutrients in the soil during sorghum harvest.…”

“…However, due to the competition among/between indigenous/introduced microbiome, soil environment, and other factors, the competence of PSM to survive and colonize in the rhizosphere is greatly challenged ( Soumare et al, 2020 ). Despite this, the PSM, when applied as microbiological formulations in field/greenhouse, has been found to enhance the growth and yield of many food crops ( Ahmed et al, 2017 ; Batool and Iqbal, 2019 ), including sorghum ( Vijayalakshmi et al, 2020 ), by various direct and indirect mechanisms ( Khan et al, 2014 ; Herrera-Quiterio et al, 2020 ).…”