Multilocation Screening of Drought Tolerant Azotobacter chroococcum Strains on Growth Parameters and Yield of Rabi Sorghum

A field experiment was conducted for three consecutive years in four different locations to evaluate the effect of drought tolerant Azotobacter chroococcum strains on grain and stover yield of rabi sorghum under dryland conditions. Among different inoculation treatments, seed inoculation with MPKV Azotobacter chroococcum strain No.4 + 75% recommended nitrogen + 100% recommended P₂O₅ recorded highest grain yield (20.37 q ha⁻¹), stover yield (67.34 q ha⁻¹) and thousand grain weight (29.56 g) and was found at par with the treatment of 100% recommended dose of nitrogen and phosphorus in respect of grain and stover yield of rabi sorghum. The results indicated saving of 25% chemical nitrogen fertilizer for rabi sorghum under dryland conditions. The MPKV Azotobacter chroococcum strain tested was found superior to the private Azotobacter chroococcum strain.