Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences Paper


Vol 08, Issue 2, 2006

Page Number: 307-314

GROWTH AND YIELD OF FOXTAIL MILLET [SETARIA ITALICA (L.) BEAUV.]: EFFECTS OF NITROGEN FERTILIZATION AND INOCULATION WITH AZOSPIRILLLIM LIPOFERLIM

K.V. BHASKARA RA0 AND P.B.B.N.CHARYULU

Abstract

Inoculation of foxtail millet (cv. Chitra) with three strains of Azospirillum lipoferum either alone or in combination with nitrogen fertilizer (40 kg N ha-1) increased the plant height, the dry weight of shoot and root, and the total N content of shoot, root and grain. The grain yield of the inoculated plants was significantly higher compared to the control plants. Both panicle and seed weights increased due to inoculation. Among the inocula tested, Inoculm-2 (In-2) was superior to the other two inocula. Further, seasonal (Kharif and Rabi) variations in growth and yield of the plants were also observed.