Effect of endophytic nitrogen-fixing bacterial consortium on yield of sugarcane

Present study was undertaken to find out the effect of nitrogen-fixing bacterial consortia on productivity of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). For this purpose, a field trial was conducted during the years 2021 and 2023 at three locations in Maharashtra. Six treatments, comprising different nitrogen levels (0–100% RDF) and microbial inoculations were compared with each other and control using a randomized block design. The results revealed that application of a bacterial consortium @ 25 % nitrogen fertilization significantly increased cane yield (114.34 t ha-1), nitrogen content in leaves (1.36%) and total nitrogen uptake (188.86 kg ha-1). This treatment recorded the highest nitrogen use efficiency (457.36 kg cane/kg N) and benefit-cost ratio (2.42), indicating its agronomic and economic viability. Thus the integration of endophytic bacteria in nutrient management of sugarcane was found to be beneficial.