Afield experiment consisted 16 treatments i.e. 4 levels each of bio-inoculants (no inoculation, dipping of seedling in the culture of Azotobacter, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria and their combination) and N, Pand K fertilizers (0, 50, 75 and 100% of the recommended dose of 125: 75: 60 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha) were arrange in split plot. Application of bio-inoculants alone and in combination significantly increased the marketable curd yield and its attributing traits, net returns, NPK uptake and soil fertility build up. The increasing levels of NPK also followed the similar trends. The interaction effects showed that curd weight, curd yield and net returns were increased linearly with the application of bio-inoculants integrated with NPK fertilizers. Application of recommended dose of NPK in combination with Azotobacter and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria registered significantly higher marketable curd yield (9%) over the recommended dose of NPK along with maximum net returns (Rs. 1, 93, 000/ha) and benefit cost ratio (3.99). Further, it was found that yield recorded with the application of 75% NPK + Azotobacter + phosphorus solubilizing bacteria was at par with the recommended NPK dose resulting in a saving of 25% NPK fertilizers. Bio-inoculants amendment in combination with synthetic fertilizers improved the soil buildup over the initial soil status.
