Self-generated microbial population or cultured microflora – an important criterion toward development of an effective and economically viable road map for organic soil management

ABSTRACT

Huge depletion of soil microflora under conventional farming practice has become the primary contributory factor toward the present depletion of soil and crop productivity. Reconstitution of soil microbial dynamics has been identified as the only way out, but there has been a debate regarding the most effective pathway for soil rejuvenation i.e. whether to create the environment for natural proliferation or opt for inoculation of laboratory generated microbes. In this respect, a study was undertaken at Maud T.E. (Assam) under FAO-CFC-TBI Project, where bio-fertilizer (microbial inoculant, MI), vermicompost (organic food source, OF), vermicompost + bio-fertilizer (OF+MI), and Novcom compost (representing self-generated native microflora in the order of 10¹⁶c.f.u. along with organic food source, SNM); were taken as treatments for a yield target of 1500 kg made tea/ha. The highest crop yield (1500 kg ha⁻¹) along with high and consistent soil quality development was noted under SNM treatment; while MI influenced lowest yield (1268 kg ha⁻¹) and minimal soil response. Addition of the organic food source with cultured microbes (MI+OF) was found to improve crop performance (1427 kg ha⁻¹), but with 7.60 times higher cost (Rs. 39.97 kg⁻¹ made tea). Economic viability study indicated that except SNM, all other treatments were vulnerable toward crop loss or market downfall.

KEYWORDS:

• Cultured microbes
• self-generated microflora
• soil rejuvenation

Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to FAO-CFC-TBI for providing financial assistance that was truly essential for successful completion of the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.