Interaction effects of inorganic, organic and liquid bio-inoculants on yield attributes, yield and economics of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

A field experiment was conducted in rabi season during 2017-18 and 2018-19 to study the nutrient status of plant and soil as influenced under integrated nutrient management in barley at Udaipur (Rajasthan). The experiment was laid out randomized block design (factorial) with comprised combinations of six fertility levels and four liquid bioinoculants. The results showed that interaction effect of fertilizer levels and liquid bio inoculants significantly influenced yield attributes (effective tillers 0.5 m^-1 row length and grains ear^-1), grain yield and net return during both the years as well as pooled analysis. Irrespective of liquid bio-inoculants, application of 125% + 5 t FYM ha^-1 both gave significantly higher yield attributes, grain yield and net return over rest of the fertility levels, while at all fertility levels, inoculation of barley seed with Azotobacter + Azospirillum + Phosphates solubilizer + PGPR found at par with Azotobacter + PSB and both these treatment significantly enhanced yield attributes, grain yield and net return over single inoculation of Azotobacter and PSB. The maximum yield attributes, grain yield and net return were recorded under the combined application of 125% RDF + 5 t FYM ha^-1 + liquid bio-inoculant Azotobacter + Azospirillum + Phosphates solubilizer + PGPR, which was statistically at par with 100% RDF + 5 t FYM ha^-1 + liquid bio-inoculant Azotobacter + Azospirillum + Phosphates solubilizer + PGPR/Azotobacter + PSB and 125% RDF + 5 t FYM ha^-1 + liquid bio-inoculants Azotobacter + PSB but significantly higher over rest of treatment combinations. The highest grain yield (6.10 t ha^-1) and net return (₹ 81043) were recorded under the combined application of 125% RDF + 5 t FYM ha^-1 + liquid bio-inoculant Azotobacter + Azospirillum + Phosphates solubilizer + PGPR.