Barinderpal Singh
Punjab Agricultural University, India
Title: Effect of bio-fertilizers on microbial count in soil, growth and yield attributes of rainy season tomato
Biography
Biography: Barinderpal Singh
Abstract
Bio-fertilizers are living microorganisms, derived from roots or soil, which improve the soil microbial content, growth and yield attributes in rainy season tomato. In an experiment, 14 treatments comprising of various combinations of bio-fertilizers, organic manures and chemical fertilizers were compared to assess the impact of different sources of nutrients on performance of tomato. The results revealed that plant height after 30, 60 and 90 days of transplanting, number of branches per plant, number of fruits per plant and leaf surface area was found to be maximum with the application of Azotobacter along with recommended dose of fertilizers (T1). Likewise, application of Azospirilum along with recommended dose of fertilizers (T3) produced maximum fruit weight, fruit diameter and total yield. Highest soil organic carbon content (0.38 %) was observed in the treatments T11 (FYM @ 20 t/ha along with Azotobacter and Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (VAM)) and T12 (Farm Yard Manure (FYM) @ 20 t/ha). Highest bacterial count (26.2×106) and actinomycetes count (36×104) was recorded in treatment T12 (FYM @ 20 t/ha). It can be concluded that, the application of Azotobacter along with recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers improve vegetative growth, while Azospirillium along with recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers improves yield attributes in rainy season tomato as far as the sustainability and environmental considerations are concerned. The present study highlights the need of usage of bio-fertilizers along with organic and inorganic manures/fertilizers to enhance the nutrient availability and improve soil health.