Effect of biofertilizers on the growth and yield of Sorghum crop

Abstract

The influence of biofertilizer inoculation viz. Azotobacter and Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria (PSB) alone and in different combinations with the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer (NPK: Nitrogen-Phosphorous- Potassium) on Jowar (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) crop was tested during the Kharif season at the agricultural field (21040’76.97N; 78096’22.70 E Maharashtra State of India) to explore the possibility of reducing doses of chemical fertilizers and for better soil health. The results revealed significant improvement in growth characters such as the height of the plant (4.89% to 15.10%), number of internodes (1.69 to 6.39%), stem diameter (5.08% to 26.27%), the weight of the root system (7.32% to 29.27%), number of functional leaves (6.70% to 19.56%), the weight of fresh plant (8.45% to 17.17%) and weight of dry plant (9.15% to 24.29%) over the control treatment. Similarly, the weight of sorghum cob (11.33% to 47.67%), the yield of fodder (4.59% to 19.76%), grain yield quintal/hector (0.97% to 37.83%) was more in inoculated crop as compared to the controlled condition.