Over half of the world's population consumes rice as a staple food. Sustainable rice (Oryza sativa L.) production is required to feed the growing population. Therefore, farmers are force to apply chemical fertilizers to increase rice sustainable rice production. It is not affordable for poor farmers due to the high market costs of chemical fertilizer. Alternative crop and resource management strategies, in addition to chemical fertilizer, are required to sustain crop productivity and profitability. A high output from agricultural systems is required for sustainable agriculture and food security. These systems must be economically viable, environmentally responsible, and socially acceptable. In this case, biofertilizers could be a novel approach for sustainable rice production, low cost, and pollution reduction. Crop productivity dramatically benefits from the use of biofertilizers. This study was done to find out how biofertilizers will help maximize rice yield. The treatments were T1: POP, KAU + Azolla, T2: POP, KAU + AMF (Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi), T3: POP, KAU + PGPR Mix I (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria Mix 1), T4: POP, KAU + PSB (Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria), T5: POP, KAU + KSB (Potassium solubilizing bacteria), T6: T 1 + AMF, T7: T 1 + PGPR Mix I, T8: T 1 + PSB, T9: T 1 + KSB, T10: POP, KAU (Control) and T11: ZnSO4 spray. Applying different bio-fertilizers increased plant height, number of tillers per plant, root length, number of grains per panicle, 1000 grain weight, and grain yield. When compared to the control, the incorporation of Azolla and AMF, along with POPand KAU recommendations (T6), recorded the highest values in terms of plant height (90.72 cm), number of tillers (23.56), and root length (35.62 cm). T6 (POP, KAU + Azolla + AMF) had the highest number of grains per panicle (155.37), 1000 grain weight (24.16 g), and grain yield (3718.52Kg per ha (32.84%) when compared to the control. Results revealed the greater scope of biofertilizers application for achieving greater yield in rice variety Uma. We hope that this finding is beneficial for farmers to improve rice production.

Rice, Bio-fertilizers, Growth parameters, Yield parameters

These results highlights the importance of incorporation of AMF in rice- production systems. The field performances of rice variety Uma was improved to a great extent under the application of biofertilizer in addition to chemical fertilizers. This was reflected in the significant enhancement in growth and yield parameters. Growth parameters and yield parameters were raised by using biofertilizers in addition to chemical fertilizers. Azolla and AMF incorporation with POP recommendation (T6) revealed maximum values for growth and yield parameters. Azolla + AMF + KAU POP greatly enhanced the plant's growth characteristics, including height (90.72 cm), tiller count (23.56), and root length (35.62 cm). T6: T 1 + AMF + KAU POP biofertilizer combination enhanced the number of grains per panicle (155.37), 1000 grain weight (24.91 g), and grain production (3718.52Kg/ha). When Azolla and AMF with POP recommendations (T6), there was a 32.84% increase in yield compared to control. With its multifaceted potential, AMF and azolla can be used as one of the tools for sustainable rice production. This study will help to draw attention to natural AMF colonization and application of azolla in rice-growing areas. This will also facilitate designing future rice production technologies with the incorporation of biofertilizers and exploitation of symbiosis in the field of agriculture.

E.A. Amrutha, R.V. Manju, M.M. Viji, Roy Stephen, Jacob John, Swapna Alex and A.V. Meera (2022). The Influence of Biofertilizers on Growth and Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L.). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4a): 23-28.