Vol. 12, Issue 4 (2023)

Author(s):
Sangamesh Kayakad, Brahmaprakash GP and Ameer Pasha B

Abstract:
An investigation was conducted to determine the effect of inoculation of microbial consortium by using capsule-based formulation and its comparison with vermicompost and talc powder. Survival study was conducted in laboratory conditions from the results it is evident that survival of the Azotobacter chroococcum and Bacillus megaterium both in single and dual inoculants of vermicompost and capsule-based formulations were declined gradually at the end of 180 days of storage. Azotobacter chroococcum in vermicompost based formulation recorded log₁₀ 7.85 CFU/g at the beginning of storage. Later, gradually declined with an intermittent increase in the population. At the end of 180 days of storage A. chroococcum­ population declined from log₁₀ 7.85 CFU/g to log₁₀ 6.22 CFU/g. Bacillus megaterium population was maximum up to 90 days of storage. Later, the population was declined from log₁₀ 7.93 CFU/g to log₁₀ 5.97 CFU/g at the end of 180 days of storage. Survival of dual inoculants containing Azotobacter chroococcum + Bacillus megaterium in capsule based formulation was studied up to 180 days of storage. The population of Azotobacter chroococcum + Bacillus megaterium showed log₁₀ 7.90, log₁₀ 7.76 cells/g at the beginning, reduced to log₁₀ 5.90, log₁₀ 6.46 cells/g at the end of 180 days of storage. It is clearly evident from this investigation that gelatin capsules are the best alternate formulations to carrier-based inoculants and also from results found that consortial application of microbial inoculants was found more advantageous than in individual inoculation in terms of enhancing crop growth parameters.