RESPONSE OF RAIN-FED PEARL-MILLET (PENNISETUM-GLAUCUM) TO INOCULATION WITH NITROGEN-FIXING BACTERIA

An experiment on biofertilization in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend. Stuntz] was conducted at 3 (Jaipur, Kanpur and Hisar) locations in 1987 and 5(Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jamnagar, Kanpur and Hisar) locations in 1988. Seed inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense Tarrand, Krieg & Dobereiner, Azotobacter chroococcum Beijerinck and Azospirillum lipoferum Beijerinck increased the grain yield by 16, 22 and 19% respectively, compared with the control. Seed inoculation significantly increased the grain yield compared with the control at Jaipur, Jodhpur and Hisar. Seed inoculation produced as much grain yield as 20 kg N/ha at Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jamnagar and Kanpur and saved 20 kg N/ha. Seed inoculation + 20 kg N/ha gave grain yield equivalent to that of 40 kg N/ha at Kanpur during both the years and in pooled data and at Jodhpur and Jamnagar during 1988, showing N economy.