Effect of bio-inoculation of AM fungi and PGPR on the growth, yield and quality of FCV tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) in Vertisols

Abstract

Applications of beneficial microbes, biofertilizer, are well known as an alternative to chemical fertilizer application in sustainable crop production. The objective of this field study was to evaluate the effect of co-inoculation with bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on the growth, yield and quality of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) in vertisols for two years (2008 and 2009). Sixty days old tobacco seedlings were inoculated with single, double and triple inoculations. The results revealed that triple inoculation of Glomus intraradices + Psuedomonas flourescens and Azotobacter chroococum stimulated increased root colonization, plant growth, plant biomass, gas exchange parameters, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content of leaf, cured leaf yield, grade index and quality significantly over the double and single inoculation treatments. Comparative analysis showed that the presence of Pseudomonas fluorescens inoculant alone and in combination of treatments played an effective role in stimulating growth, yield and quality grades of FCV tobacco leaf. Tobacco crop is grown for leaves instead of seed as in many crops.. The association of bacteria and AM fungi indicated that rhizosphere bacteria are involved in the beneficial effects of AMF on plant growth and enhanced tobacco yield and quality.