Compatibility of Carbofuran and Bacterial Inoculants on the Growth, Yield and Nitrogen Uptake by Sorghum bicolor

The contribution of seed treatment with a nitrogen fixer (Azospirillum brasilense) and phosphobacteria (Bacillus polymyxa or Pseudomonas striata) alone or in combination of carbofuran was studied on nitrogen uptake and grain yield in sorghum under field condition. Carbofuran was applied as granules in soils furrows for control of shootfly dead heart.

The shootfly damage was severe in treatments where carbofuran was not applied. The severity of the infestation was slightly lowered when seeds were inoculated with selected bacteria. Shootfly damage was significantly reduced with carbofuran alone or with bacterial inoculants.

The rhizosphere population of Azospirillum and nitrogen content in vegetative parts were augmented in presence of the inoculant. Seed inoculation with A. brasilense or P. striata increased grain yield and nitrogen uptake of sorghum crop. The inoculation of seeds with a combination of these bacteria did not give an additional increase in grain yield.