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Abstract
Inorganic fertilizers release numerous hazardous gases into the atmosphere by volatilization as well as release ionic radicles into surface runoff and ground water by leaching. There is need to develop some sound alternatives to enhance crop productivity without harming the environment. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ecofriendly organic matrix-entrapped biofertilizers (OMEB) (Azotobacter chroococcum+Bacillus subtilis) on Basmati rice (Oryza sativa L cv. Basmati). The entrapped biofertilizers significantly increased plant growth, that is, fresh and dry weights, root length, root, leaf and tiller numbers, soluble protein, organic nitrogen, and free ammonium in leaves over free biofertilizers. The crop productivity, that is, grain and straw yield, and quality of grains in terms of grain protein, percentage of moisture, grain starch, wet gluten in grains, as well as NPK in grains and straw were also enhanced by OMEB. We concluded that the efficacy of free biofertilizers can be enhanced by entrapping them in appropriate carriers and providing protection to the biofertilizer microbes. It appears that organic matrix entrapped biofertilizers can be developed as effective organic alternative to conventional chemical fertilizers for rice cultivation in semiarid subtropical agroecosystem.