Influence of nitrogen and phosphate solubilizing bacteria and phosphorus sources on growth, chlorophyll and yield of maize

Field experiments were conducted during kharif seasons of 2002 and 2003 at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to study the effect of different phosphatic fertilizers and biofertilizers on growth attributes and chlorophyll content of maize. Different doses of phosphatic sources (single super phosphate and rock phosphate with and without PSB and VAM) were applied either without nitrogen or in combination with nitrogen fertilizer. The treatments N₁₂₀P₆₀ gave the highest leaf area and dry matter/plant during both the years and in second year it was at par with N₁₂₀SSP₃₀VAM. In case leaf area index (LAI), highest values were associated with N₁₂₀P₆₀ at 40 DAS in 2002 and 2003. In second year it was statistically at par with N₁₂₀SSP₃₀VAM at 40 and 80 DAS. At knee high stage of maize, the highest chlorophyll content of 1.03 mg/g and 1.10 mg/g fresh weight were recorded in N₁₂₀SSP₃₀VAM and N₁₂₀RP₃₀VAM in 2002 and 2003 respectively. The treatments N₁₂₀SSP₃₀VAM and N₁₂₀RP₃₀PSB were statistically at par in both the years.