Effect of Inorganic Fertilizers in Combination with Biofertilizers on Nutrient Content and Uptake of Kharif Maize

A field experiment entitled “Effect of inorganic fertilizers in combination with biofertilizers on nutrient content and uptake of kharif maize” was conducted at Agriculture College Farm, Bapatla, during both kharif 2020 and 2021. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with seven treatments and replicated thrice. The treatments consisted of T1- Control; T2- 100% RDF; T3- 125% RDF; T4 – 100% RDF + VAM; T5- 100% RDF +VAM + Azospirillum + PSB; T6- 75 % RDF + VAM; T7- 75 % RDF + VAM + Azospirillum + PSB. During kharif in two years of study significantly higher nitrogen content and uptake was recorded with 125 % RDF (T3) it was on par with 100% RDF + VAM + Azospirillum + PSB (T5) and 100% RDF + VAM (T4). The maximum nitrogen content and uptake was significantly influenced due to various level of inorganic fertilizers. Higher phosphorus, potassium and sulphur (non-significant) content and uptake were recorded in the treatment T5 that received 100% RDF +VAM + Azospirillum + PSB and it was on par with treatment which received 75 % RDF + VAM + Azospirillum + PSB (T7), 125 % RDF (T3) and 100% RDF + VAM (T4) at knee high, tasseling and harvest stage of maize. The results revealed that application of biofertilizers along with inorganic fertilizers significantly increased plant nutrient content and uptake of maize crop.