Response of muleerry to co-inoculation with Azotobacter chroococcum and Bacillus megaterium

Field experiment was conducted to study the response of M-5 Mulbeny (Morus alba L.) to co-inoculation with the diazotrophic Azotobacter chroococcurn isolate RFB and the P solubilizing Bacillus megaterium at graded levels of N and P (75 and 100 per cent). Significant increase in leaf yield, N and P uptake was recorded in co-inoculated plants as compared to the uninoculated and individually inoculated plants. In presence of full dose of N and P (300:120 kg/ha/yr.), the combined inoculation recorded 11.43% higher leaf yield, 20.15 and 15.60 per cent increase in N and P uptake. Plants receiving 75 per cent N and P in presence of the above organisms recorded 2.4 per cent increase in leaf yield, 10.35 and 8.16 per cent more uptake of N and P respectively. The total chlorophyll content increased by 10.32 per cent in co-inoculated plants and 6.8 per cent in those receiving B. megaterium as individual inoculant. The population of B. megaterium and A. chroococcum increased by 1.97 and 2.34 folds respectively in the rhizosphere when inoculated together as compared to their individual inoculations. The results revealed a synergistic interaction between the two inoculants, which could save 25 per cent of N and P fertilizers with significant increase in leaf yield and nutrient uptake.