Indian Journal of Ecology

Climate change events and COVID 19 pandemic have brought to focus the significance of cassava as a supplementary food crop worldwide. However, the high yield potential of the crop necessitates timely and adequate enrichment of soil with nutrient inputs. Consortium biofertilizers offer a viable option for reducing intensive fertilizer use to sustain soil heath and productivity in cassava. The efficacy of liquid consortium biofertilizer, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) Mix -I in economizing nutrient use in cassava were evaluated in a 4 x 3 factorial randomized block design replicated thrice. Combinations of four levels of biofertilizers and three levels of nutrients comprised the treatments. The biometric and yield observations were recorded and soil properties analyses, pre and post harvest of the crop. The liquid biofertilizer consortium at 5 % concentration + 75 % recommended dose, 37.5: 37.5: 75 kg NPK ha^-1 as chemical fertilizers recorded the ssignificantly superior tuber yield in cassava. Considering the economics, application of PGPR liquid formulation (5 %) thrice (basal, 2 and 4 MAP), along with 37.5: 37.5: 75 kg NPK ha^-1 or at 2 % concentration with 50:50:100 kg NPK ha^-1 realized higher benefit-cost ratios and can be recommended in cassava.