Application of Azotobacter, Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria for potato cultivation in Central Plain Zone (Pb-3) of Punjab

摘要

Aim : Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a fertilizer intensive tuber crop which responds well to bio-fertilizer towards high economic yield. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the economics of biofertilizers like Azotobacter,Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) application for potato cultivation in Central Plain Zone (Pb-3) of Punjab.Methodology : The recommended dose of N, P2O5 and K2O (120:80:80 Kg ha(-1)) was applied as per treatments. Soil application of VAM (150 Kg ha(-1)), Azotobacter (150 Kg ha(-1)), PSB (75 Kg ha(-1)) and mustard cake (5 qha(-1)) was done as basal dose. Intercultural practices were carried out as per recommendation and observations were recorded on vegetative growth, leaf area index, harvesting index, yield of tubers, economic attributes and benefit cost ratio. Duncan's New Multiple Range Test was applied for statistical analysis of observations.Results : Among all treatments, T-8 (50% of RDF + PSB+ Azotobacter+ VAM+ Mustard cake)and T-6(50% of RDF + PSB + VAM + Azotobacter) were reported to promote better survival (98.44% and 97.91%, respectively), plant growth (181.31% and 179.18%, respectively), Leaf Area Index (7.04 and 7.06, respectively), Harvesting Index (0.828 and 0.775, respectively) and marketable yield (30.63 and 30.21 tonnes ha(-1), respectively). The highest benefit cost ratio (1.585:1) was reported in T-6 followed by T-8 (1.342:1).Interpretation : Biofertilizers like PSB, VAM and Azotobacter have capacity to improve resource utilization efficiency so these inputs can be used to reduce consumption of inorganic fertilizers by 50%, improve economic yield by 17.02 to 86.88% and double the farm income.