1. Microbial Dynamics, Root Colonization, and Nutrient Availability as Influenced by Inoculation of Liquid Bioinoculants in Cultivars of Apple Seedlings.
- Author
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Singh, S. R., Zargar, M. Y., Najar, G. R., Peer, F. A., and Ishaq, M.
- Subjects
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APPLES , *SEEDLINGS , *MICROBIAL ecology , *PLANT nutrients , *MICROBIAL inoculants , *CULTIVARS , *FERTILIZERS , *AZOTOBACTER - Abstract
The present study investigates the performance of recommended doses of chemical fertilizer (RDF) and locally isolated strains ofAzotobacter, Azospirillum,and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculated either solely or in combination with seedlings of Red Delicious and Lal Ambri cultivars. The RDF (T7) treatment recorded significantly greater vegetative growth and leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents over multi-inoculation ofAzotobacter + Azospirillum +AMF (T6) but root colonization and microbial counts decreased significantly. Inoculation ofAzotobacter + Azospirillum +AMF (T6) was superior over sole and dual inoculation with respect to vegetative growth and nutrient contents in leaves and soil but had significant greater counts ofAzotobacter, Azospirillum, andPseudomonasthan RDF. Greatest root colonization (34.0 and 35.1%) was recorded inAzotobacter+Azospirillum+ AMF (T6) followed by AMF (T4) treatment (29.3 and 32.0%) in Red Delicious and Lal Ambri seedlings, respectively. Overall, it can be inferred that multiinoculation of synergistically interacting bioinoculants may be helpful in the establishment of healthy organic apple orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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