Effect of Methylobacterium on seed germination, growth and yield of Barnyard Millet (Echinochloa frumentacea Var. COKV 2) under Rainfed Condition

Abstract

Under rainfed conditions dependence on chemical fertilizers being quite expensive and making the cost of production high. In such a situation the biofertilizers play a major role and an alternative method for provide nutrients to plants. Hence, this study was carried at Arrupukottai during rainfall periods (A total of 273.1 mm of rainfall was received in 21 rainy days. A deficit rainfall of 25.7 per cent was recorded over normal 273.1 mm) out to determine the effect of Methylobacterium on the germination and yield components of Echinochloa frumentacea. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of Methylobacterium on seed imbibition, on germination of kudiraivali under dryland conditions. Observations on Germination percentage, vigour index, microbial population, plant growth and yield characters were recorded to study the effect of the treatments. Results revealed that, the seed imbibitions of Methylobacterium 2% (T5) showed higher germination percentage (97%), vigour index (2832) and population of bacteria (112.32 x 10 6 cfu/g), fungi (52.14 x 10 3 cfu/g) and actinobacteria (26.4 x 10 4 cfu/g) and the yield parameters like number of productive tillers (6.6 Nos), plant height (186 cm), days to 50% flowering (54 days), panicle length (22 cm) and days to maturity (33 days), grain yield (1838 kg/ha) and straw yield (3759kg/ha).