Effect of Azotobacter and PSB Inoculation on Rhizosphere of Tomato

Author: Sonakshi Pandey, Diptimayee Dash and Tapas Chowdhury

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Abstract

A study was conducted in the Department of Agricultural Microbiology, IGKV during the year 2021-22 to assess the inoculation effect on soil biology in the rhizosphere region of tomato. Studies on the complex microbes–rhizosphere environment and the evaluation of plant growth promotion are considered necessary. Revealing out the details of characterization of Azotobacter and PSB isolates were carried out and their effect on plant growth promotion were more focused as sole and dual inoculation. The study was conducted with tomato crop in Completely Randomized Design with three replicates and eight treatments. Inoculation treatments consisted of sole applications of two strains of Azotobacter (Azoto-B-26 and Azoto-B-24) and two strains of PSB (PSB-S-91 and PSB-S-68) and their dual inoculations. Considering the ill-effects of the inorganic fertilizers and the positive aspects of the microbial inoculants, the present investigation was undertaken to assess the dual inoculation effect of Azotobacter isolate in combination with PSB on the rhizosphere of tomato. The cultural and biochemical characteristics of isolates were studied, which showed positive effect with tests of starch hydrolysis test, catalase test and urease test, while as per the oxidase test except Azoto-B-24 all showed positive reaction. The experimental results revealed that significantly maximum plant height (86.8 cm), plant shoot dry biomass (23.3g plant-1), plant root dry biomass (8.56 plant-1) were noted under T7 (Azoto-B-24 + PSB-S-91) followed by T8 (Azoto-B-24 + PSB-S-68). Better microbial population (Azotobacter and PSB population) in tomato rhizosphere soils was observed under the treatments T7 and T8. Similarly Dehydrogenase activity was recorded maximum as 26.3 µgTPF/g soil/ hour under treatment T7. On the basis of the experimental findings, dual inoculation of promising strains of Azotobacter (Azoto-B-26) and PSB (PSB-S-91) through root inoculation treatment gave better soil biological properties in tomato.

Keywords

Azotobacter, PSB, Inoculation, Tomato, Rhizosphere and Biomass

Conclusion

From present investigation, it can be concluded that tomato crop receiving dual inoculation of Azotobacter (Azoto-B-24) and PSB (PSB-S-91) recorded superior plant growth, biomass and greatest microbial population in rhizosphere region of tomato plant. The treatments consisting bioinoculants recorded significantly higher values compare to without bioinoculants. Dual inoculation of Azotobacter (Azoto-B-24) and PSB (PSB-S-91) has proved to be the most superior treatment in respect of enhancing soil biological properties and growth performance of tomato.

References

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How to cite this article

Sonakshi Pandey, Diptimayee Dash and Tapas Chowdhury (2023). Effect of Azotobacter and PSB Inoculation on Rhizosphere of Tomato. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(3): 176-180.