Rhizospheric effect of liquid and powder biofertilizer as on seed inoculation in sorghum

A field experiment was undertaken on clay loam soil of Sorghum Research Unit, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (Maharashtra). An experiment was laid out in the factorial randomized block design in three replications. There were twelve treatment combinations consisting of three different levels of RDF viz., F₁ - 50% RDF, F₂ -75% RDF, F₃ -100% RDF (80:40:40 kg/ha of N:P₂O₅:K₂O) and four seed treatments viz., S₁ -Control (without seed treatment and only application of fertilizer), S₂ - seed treatment withAzospirillum brasilense and phosphate solubilizing bacteria @ 25 g each/kg seed, S₃ - seed treatment with liquid Azospirillum brasilense and phosphate solubilizing bacteria @ 2 ml each/kg seed and S₄ - seed treatment with liquid Azospirillum brasilense and phosphate solubilizing bacteria @ 4 ml each/kg seed. Application of 50% RDF recorded significantly higher rhizospheric effect (cfu/g of soil) of both Azospirillum and PSB at seedling, flowering and grain filling stages. Seed treatment with liquid Azospirillum brasilense and phosphate solubilizing bacteria @ 4 ml each/kg seed recorded significantly rhizospheric effect (cfu/g of soil) of both Azospirillum and PSB at seedling, flowering and grain filling stages.