Integrated response of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhiza and phosphate solubilizing bacteria on yield and economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown in an Indian alfisol

Mahaveer P Sharma and Alok Adholeya

Centre for mycorrhizal research, Tata Energy Research Institute, Habitat Place Lodhi Road, New Delhi -110003, INDIA

A field study was conducted under the integrated nutrient management coordinated programme during 1999-2000 to find out the effect of inoculating wheat with the indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSBS) with various combinations of fertilizer and farmyard manure (FYM) application in a nutrient-deficient Indian alfisol. The study was designed in a split-plot; randomized block design. Four levels of fertility combinations ± AM and PSBS inoculation constitute 16 treatments. The synergistic impact of both mycorrhizal fungi and PSBS will be ascertained from each plot at all the fertility levels. The nutrient budgeting in terms of removal and gain will also be discussed. The economics (cost benefit ratio) of AMF and PSBS in combination with FYM and fertilizers was worked out to sustain the maximum production of wheat under semi-arid conditions.