Synergistic Effect of Phosphatic Fertilizer and Biofertilizers on Soil Enzyme Activity and Yield of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L.)

Author: P. Kejiya, B. Vajantha, M.V.S. Naidu and A.V. Nagavani

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Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at the Agricultural Research Station in Perumalapalle, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India, during the kharif season of 2018. The main objective of the experiment was to investigate the effects of phosphorus fertilizer, Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), and Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) on soil enzyme activity in finger millet. The experiment was structured using a randomized block design, with nine different treatments comprising varying combinations of phosphorus fertilizer, PSB, and VAM. Each treatment was replicated three times, and the study was conducted in sandy loam soil. The investigation involved the collection of soil samples at two key growth stages: flowering and harvest. The analysis focused on assessing soil enzyme activity, specifically targeting acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and arylsulfatase activities. Additionally, the grain yield was recorded at the harvest stage. The results highlighted the substantial impact of combinedly applying PSB and VAM along with phosphorus fertilizer on both soil enzyme activity and grain yield. Among the diverse treatment options, the combination involving 75% of the recommended dose of phosphorus (RDP) + PSB at 750 ml/ha + VAM at 12.5 kg/ha (T9) showcased the highest acid phosphatase activity during the harvest period. Similarly, the treatment comprising 100% RDP + PSB at 750 ml/ha + VAM at 12.5 kg/ha (T6) exhibited the most elevated alkaline phosphatase activity at both growth stages. Moreover, for arylsulfatase activity during the flowering phase, the treatment sequence of 75% RDP + PSB at 750 ml/ha + VAM at 12.5 kg/ha (T9), followed by 100% RDP + PSB at 750 ml/ha + VAM at 12.5 kg/ha (T6), produced the most pronounced results. In contrast, the absence of phosphorus (T1) led to significantly lower levels of acid and alkaline phosphatase, arylsulfatase activity, and grain yield. Certainly, here's a paraphrased version of the sentence. Some of the challenges in this study is potential benefits of applying phosphorus fertilizer along with biofertilizers (PSB and VAM) are a highly effective method for managing phosphorus in finger millet cultivation, with the aim of enhancing plant growth, increasing crop yield and stimulating enzyme activity over application of phosphorus fertilizers alone. Hence it is best option for realizing higher productivity in finger millet.

Keywords

Enzyme activity, finger millet, grain yield, Phosphorus fertilizer, PSB and VAM

Conclusion

The current study's findings lead to the concluded that the combined utilization of 75% RDP + PSB @ 750 ml ha-1 + VAM @ 12.5 kg ha-1 (T9) has demonstrated its superiority in enhancing soil enzyme activity. The highest grain yield was achieved with the application of 100% RDP + PSB @ 750 ml ha-1 + VAM @ 12.5 kg ha-1 (T6), establishing it as the most effective phosphorus management approach compared to the application of phosphorus fertilizer alone.

References

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How to cite this article

P. Kejiya, B. Vajantha, M.V.S. Naidu and A.V. Nagavani (2023). Synergistic Effect of Phosphatic Fertilizer and Biofertilizers on Soil Enzyme Activity and Yield of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L.). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(9): 24-27.