Indian Journal of Horticulture

Aonla is one of the most important plants of ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine, has good commercial value. It is being utilized since long time. The present study represents positive response of bio-fertilizers in nursery seedlings followed by transplantation in the harsh field conditions the Thar desert. Nursery and field experiments were carried out to assess the effectiveness of selected nitrogen fixing bacteria and AM fungi alone or in combination, on the growth and biomass production of aonla. In both experiments, the combine treatment of Azotobacter chroococcum and Glomus mosseae was found to be the most effective. Besides enhancing the rhizosphere microbial activity and concentration of various metabolites and nutrients, these bio-inoculants also helped in better establishment of aonla plant under field conditions. Significant improvement in the plant height, plant canopy, collar diameter and fruit yield was evident in five-year-old aonla plants in field conditions. It is suggested that application of bio-fertilizers is beneficial and can be used as a tool for enhancing production of horticultural plants in arid regions.