Interactive Effect of Rhizotrophic Microorganisms on Growth, Yield, and Nutrient Uptake of Wheat

ABSTRACT

The interactive effect of rhizotrophic microorganisms on growth, yield, and nutrient uptake of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was determined in a pot experiment using sterilized soil deficient in available phosphorus (P). Positive effect on plant vigor, nutrient uptake, and yield in wheat plants was recorded in the treatment receiving mixed inoculum of nitrogen-fixing Azotobacter chroococcum + phosphate solubilizing microorganism (PSM) Pseudomonas striata + arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus fasciculatum. The available P status of the soil improved significantly (P ≤ 0.5) following triple inoculation with A. chroococcum, P. striata, and G. fasciculatum. The residual nitrogen (N) content of the soil did not change appreciably among the treatments. Addition of Penicillium variable to single- or double-inoculation treatments negatively affected the measured parameters. The population of A. chroococcum, PSM, percentage root infection, and spore density of the AM fungus in inoculated treatments increased at 80 days of wheat growth. The present finding showed that rhizotrophic microorganisms can interact positively in promoting plant growth, as well as N and P uptake, of wheat plants, leading to improved yield.

Keywords:

• Azotobacter
• arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi
• phosphate solubilizing microorganisms
• wheat
• nutrient uptake

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are greatly thankful to the Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh and the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, for providing the microbial cultures used in the present study.