Vol. 12, Issue 5 (2023)

Author(s):
Anil Kumar, Diwakar Paswan, SP Vishwkarma, Mrinalini Kumari and Birendra Kumar

Abstract:
48 PGPR isolates were isolated from different rhizotic zones of maize based intercropping system by using different media from twelve different site of Bihar including diara belt. PGPR isolates are coded for Azospirillum spp. as AZS₁ to AZS₁₂, Azotobacter spp. as AZT₁ to AZT₁₂, Pseudomonas spp. as PSD₁ to PSD_`12 and P-solubilizing bacteria spp. as PSB₁ to PSB₁₂. These isolates were screened on the basis of seed germination, production of IAA, P-solubilization activity, antifungal activity, and nitrogenase activity for the formulation of microbial consortium. Under pot condition plant height, leaf area index, number of leaves plant^-1, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, total biomass production, root volume, percentage root colonization by mycorrhiza in pot soil and microbial population of Pseudomonas spp. PSD₆ was maximum in treatment T₁₄ (NPK + PSD₆ + AZS₆ + AZT₄) while microbial population of Azotobacter spp. AZT₄, P-solubilization bacteria PSB₄ and MPN of Azospirillum spp. AZS₆ were maximum in treatment T₁₃ (NPK + PSB₄ + AZS₆ + AZT₄). Keeping in view of experimental findings, PGPRs of diara belt are extremely diversified and perform well in stress condition. They are also competitive in nature and efficient in nitrogen fixing, P-solubilization and producing plant growth hormones. Microbial consortium improves crop growth and increase biomass production. Hence, it may be concluded that PGPRs (PSD₆ + AZS₆ + AZT₄) form best microbial consortium in all respect than that of others which is very significant not only in growth parameters but also in maintaining soil health for sustainable crop production in Bihar.