Abstract

NUTRIENT AND MICROBIAL STATUS OF CULTIVATED SOIL OF POPCORN (ZEA MAYS L. EVERTA) AS INFLUENCED BY APPLICATION OF PHOSPHATE AND POTASH SOLUBILIZING BACTERIA

*Krupa P. Ghetiya, Dr. V. B. Bhalu, Dr. P. K. Chovatia and H. B. Sojitra

ABSTRACT

To studied the effect of different levels of PSB and KSB on microbial and nutrient status of cultivated soil of popcorn and their economics for that an experiment was carried out during rabi season of 2016-17 at Junagadh Agricultural University. The experimental results revealed that application of 45 kg P2O5/ha + PSB seed inoculation + PSB soil application gave significant result on chemical parameters viz., grain P content, fodder N and P content, grain and fodder N, P and K uptake, P and K use efficiency; post harvest available P and organic C status of soil and microbial parameters of soil viz., total bacterial, total fungal and PSB count at 30 DAS and harvest, also gave highest yield, net return and B:C ratio. Application of 45 kg K2O/ha + KSB seed inoculation + KSB soil application enhanced chemical parameters viz., grain P and K content, fodder N and K content, grain and fodder N, P and K uptake, P and K use efficiency; post harvest available K and organic C status of soil and microbial parameters of soil viz., total bacterial, total fungal and KSB count at 30 DAS and harvest also gave highest net return and B:C ratio. The joint effect of different levels of PSB and KSB was found significant in case of nitrogen and phosphorus content in fodder and also in nitrogen and phosphous uptake by fodder.

Keywords: Popcorn, (Zea mays L. Var. Everta), Phosphate and potash solubilizing bacteria, Microbial status, Nutrient status, Economis.