Response of Kharif Maize to Inoculation with Azotobacter and Azospirillum at Varying Levels of Nitrogen

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Main Maize Research Station, Godhra, Gujarat, during 1998–2000 on sandy loam soil to assess the effect of seed inoculation with Azotobacter chroococcum and Azospirillum lipoferum, along with graded levels of nitrogen, on grain and straw yields of kharif maize cv. GM-1. The results revealed that seed inoculation with either A. chroococcum or A. lipoferum significantly increased grain and straw yields, producing grain yields of 2558 and 2464 kg/ha and straw yields of 3370 and 3282 kg/ha, respectively. Application of nitrogen at 80 kg/ha resulted in the highest net return of Rs. 17,520/ha. The results indicated that seed inoculation with A. chroococcum or A. lipoferum could save 20 kg N/ha without adversely affecting crop productivity.