Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

STUDY ON DEVELOPMENT OF CONSORTIA FOR NPK BACTERIA AND ITS EFFECT ON GROWTH OF SELECTED CROPS

Nileema S. Gore, Vaishali Hiwale, Vaibhav Jagdale and Sanjay Harke

Abstract

A group of beneficial bacteria provides an ecofriendly and economically sound approach to low-input farming systems and for better plant productivity. The present study was conducted during 2018-19 at MGM’s Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Aurangabad, Maharashtra to develop consortium of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) bacteria on growth of various crops like Cotton, Maize, Jowar, Cow Pea, Moth Bean, Chili, and Tomato. For development of consortium, seven bacterial strains were taken for nitrogen fixation, solubilization of phosphorus and potassium. Out of seven, three bacterial strains were selected on the basis of positive compatibility test. All these three bacteria were used as A. chroococcum for nitrogen fixation, B. megaterium for phosphorous solubilization and F. aurantia for potassium solubilization. Bacterial consortium was formulated by inoculating three compatible bacterial strains by using emulsifier, dispersant, cell protectant, moisturizer and humectants. Consortium 4 was showed highest population count of A. chroococcum (12 × 1010 CFU/ ml), B. megaterium (10 × 1010 CFU/ ml) and F. aurantia (6 × 1010 CFU/ml) after one month over other consortium. Selected consortia 4 were treated with crops at two different concentrations as 50% and 100% respectively to study the seed germination percentage. Seed treated with consortium 4 showed significant enhancement in seed germination of all crops over control. Instead of giving single NPK bio-formulation, consortium of NPK bacteria is best way to avail NPK nutrients to plant for growth and development.