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Growth, nodulation and
yield of black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] as
influenced by biofertilizers and soil amendments
A. Javaid
Institute
of Mycology and Plant Pathology, University of the Punjab,
Quaid-e-Azam Campus Lahore, Pakistan.
E-mail:
arshadjpk@yahoo.com.
Accepted
7 August, 2009 |
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EM
(effective microorganisms) is a commercial biofertilizer
mainly consists of photosynthetic and lactic acid bacteria,
yeast and actinomycetes. The present study was undertaken to
investigate the effect of EM application and two strains of
nitrogen fixing Bradyrhizobium japonicum (TAL- 102
and MN-S) on plant growth, nodulation and yield of black
gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] in different soil
amendment systems including unamended soil, farmyard manure
(FYM) @ 5 g 100 g-1, Trifolium alexandrinum
green manure (GM) @ 4 g 100 g-1 and
recommended dose of NPK fertilizers. Nodule number was
significantly enhanced by inoculation of either of the two
B. japonicum strains in NPK and un-amended soils. A
marked increase in nodule biomass was also recorded due to
B. japonicum inoculation in these 2 types of soils.
Grain yield was significantly increased by 46% due to either
of the two B. japonicum strains in NPK amended soil.
EM application markedly enhanced nodule number in FYM
amended soil. Conversely, EM application in combination with
either of the two B. japonicum strains resulted in
pronounced reduction both in number and biomass of nodules
in NPK fertilizers amendment. EM application significantly
enhanced grain yield by 48% in NPK amendment without B.
japonicum inoculation.
Key
words:
Black grams, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, effective
microorganisms, nitrogen fixation, soil amendments. |
