Impact of microbial consortium along with biochar and pressmud on mashbean yield and seed quality in field conditions

Application of organic matter sources along with microbial formulations stimulates microbial activities and their potential to support plant growth, and enhances plant survival under field conditions. We evaluated the impact of different rhizobial and rhizobacterial strains in sustaining plant growth under field conditions by using Vigna mungo as test crop. Unlike most previous research that examine single microbial inoculants or overlook the role of local organic amendments, current study evaluated the consortium of indigenous rhizobium and PGPR with biochar and pressmud to synergistically improve mash bean growth, yield and quality. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed Rhizobium sp., ‘Stenotrophomonas rhizophila’ yielding most efficient outcomes followed by Bacillus subtilis, and Bradyrhizobium japonicum. Co-inoculation of bacteria (S. rhizophila and Rhizobium sp.) along with 0.5% orange peel biochar and 5 tons/ha pressmud proved to be the most efficient in this regard. Treatment (T5) exhibited the greatest increase in plant height (51%), plant fresh weight (127%), plant dry weight (174%), 1000-grains weight (37.4%) than control. Next best increase Bacillus subtilis, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, 0.25% biochar, 10 tons/ha pressmud yielded the next best increase in grain yield (37.4%). Maximum crude protein (54%) was observed with inoculation of strain ‘PKA-18, RKA-47, 0.5% biochar, 5 Tons ha-1 pressmud as compared to un-inoculated control. Among all the tested isolates, co-inoculation of T5 followed by T4 was the most efficient treatment in improving mash bean growth, yield, and seed quality.