Effect of bio-fertilizers on growth, yield and microbial population of Wheat

In an experiment conducted during the Rabi season (2014-15), the use of Azospirillum lipoferum + 75 per cent RDF of NPK + 25 per cent FYM @ 24 t ha^-1 recorded significantly higher plant height (86.73 cm), test weight (56.83 g), plant dry weight (26.92 g hill^-1), grain yield (6.25 t ha^-1) and total microbial count (24.33 × 10⁷ CFU g^-1) with maximum harvest Index (51.81 %) and a benefit cost ratio (2.00). All the treatments excepting PSB + A. lipoferum + 75 per cent NPK + 25 per cent FYM @ 24 t ha^-1 recorded significantly higher straw yield against the treatment with 100 per cent FYM @ 24 t ha^-1. Highest straw yield (6.17 t ha-1) was recorded with PSB + A. chroococcum + 75 % RDF of NPK + 25 % FYM @ 24 t ha^-1 which is also at par (5.75 t ha^-1) with the treatment comprising A. lipoferum + 75 per cent NPK + 25 per cent FYM.