Combined effects of diazotrophs and phosphobacteria on nitrogen, phosphorus and microbial status of soil

The results of present investigations in general revealed that composite culture of diazotrophic becteria viz. Acetobacter, Azotobacter, Azospirillum and phosphate solubilizing bacteria Bacillus megaterium was significantly superior and synergistic leading to improved available nitrogen, phosphorus and bacterial population in soil at various stages of pearl millet crop as compared to single culture inoculation. The maximum population of all bacteria was recorded in composite culture of three diazotrophic and one phosphobacteria in soil at flowering stage and decreased at maturity stage whereas, found minimum in uninoculated control. The available nitrogen and phosphorus in soil were also increased due to inoculation of various bioinoculats and found maximum in the treatment of combination of four bacterial composite cultures.