Ramdas Yadav, Robin Kumar, Anand Singh, Dev Narayan Yadav, Vishal Singh, Ruby Yadav and Brijesh Kumar
Abstract
A field experiment was carried out during the Kharif season in the year 2024 to assess the effect of different levels of phosphorus along with PSB and Zinc on soil biological properties in rice (Oryza sativa L.) The experiment consists of eight treatments viz., T1 Absolute Control, T2 100% RDF (150, 60, 60 N2 , P2 O5 , K2 O kg ha-1), T3 100% RDF + PSB (Phosphate solubilizing bacteria) @1000 ml ha-1 + ZnSO4@ 25 kg ha-1, T4 100% RDF + ZnSO4@ 25 kg ha-1, T5 100% N + 75% P +100% K+ PSB@1000 ml ha-1 + ZnSO4@ 25 kg ha-1, T6 100% N + 50% P+100% K+ PSB@1000 ml ha-1 + ZnSO4@ 25 kg ha-1, T7 100% N + 25% P+100% K+ PSB@1000 ml ha-1 + ZnSO4@ 25 kg ha-1 and T8 Farmer Practices (120,60 N2, P2 O5 kg ha-1) were comprised in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The incorporation of inorganic fertilizer and PSB, and (bio-inoculants) actively activated microbial activities, resulting in a greater increase in the populations of total bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi, was observed throughout all growth stages, regardless of the treatments applied, when compared to their initial densities. Moreover, soil dehydrogenase and microbial biomass carbon displayed an upward trend in tandem with the progressive growth phases of the rice plant.