THE ROLE OF PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA IN STIMULATING GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE

Field experiment was performed to investigate the growth promoting activities of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on different growth parameters of maize variety 'Pahari'. Three bacterial strains Azospirillum brasilense strain R1, Azospirillum lipoferum strain RSWT1 and Pseudomonas strain Ky1 were used to inoculate maize. Plant growth promotion was observed in all inoculated treatments over un-inoculated control which was evident from increase in plant height, number of grains/ear, thousand grain weight and biological yield. Azospirillum lipoferum strain RSWT1 was more effective in plant growth promotion than other strains. The inoculation with Azospirillum lipoferum strain RSWT1 evidenced increase in plant height (8.82%), number of ear/plant (35%), ear length (27%), ear weight (19.4%) and thousand grains weight (11.8%) compared to control treatment. Similarly, Inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense strain R1 result increased in plant height (6.5%), number of ears/plant (45.9%), ear length (23.7%), ear weight (17.25%) and thousand grain yield (9.68%) as compared to control treatments. Higher biological yield (9210 kg/ha) was produced when treatment was done with Azospirillum lipoferum strain RSWT1 followed by treatment with Azospirillum brasilense strain R1 (8960 kg/ha). The study revealed that beneficial strains of PGPR can be used as biofertilizer for maize.