Studies on plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula)

A field experiment was conducted at Post Graduate Institute Farm, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri during kharif 2024-25 to evaluate the influence of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L.). The experiment comprised seven treatments in randomized block design with three replications, including inoculation with Azotobacter chroococcum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Bacillus megaterium individually and in consortium, combined with graded levels of NPK fertilizers. Results revealed that PGPR inoculation significantly enhanced germination, vine length, branching, root length, fruit yield attributes and nutrient uptake compared to the uninoculated control. The consortium treatment with 100% recommended dose of NPK + Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria recorded the maximum vine length (296.2 cm), number of fruits per plant (12.4), average fruit weight (132.6 g), and fruit yield (265.3 q/ha), which were significantly superior to other treatments. Nutrient uptake of N, P, and K was also highest in PGPR consortium treatments. The study suggests that PGPR consortia are promising biofertilizer candidates for sustainable ridge gourd production with reduced chemical fertilizer input.