Impact of Application of Biofertilizers and Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs (PPFM) Bacteria on the Soil Properties under Rabi Sorghum Cultivation

Aim: A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of application of biofertilizers and Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs (PPFM) bacteria on the soil properties. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with seven treatments that are allocated randomly and replicated thrice. Place and Duration of Study: Rabi, 2023-24 at Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla. Methodology: The treatments were T1 - Control (100 % RDF - 100 : 60 : 40 NPK kg ha-1), T2 - T1 + Soil application of Biofertilizers (Azospirillum, Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria and Potassium Releasing Bacteria each @ 1250 ml ha-1), T3 - T2 + Soil application of PPFM bacteria @ 2500 ml ha-1, T4 - T2 + Foliar application of PPFM bacteria at 30 and 45 DAS @ 1250 ml ha-1 for each application, T5 - 75 % RDF (75: 45: 30 NPK kg ha-1) + Soil application of Biofertilizers (Azospirillum, PSB and KRB each @ 1250 ml ha-1), T6 - T5 + Soil application of PPFM bacteria @ 2500 ml ha-1, T7 - T5 + Foliar application of PPFM bacteria at 30 and 45 DAS @ 1250 ml ha-1 for each application. Results: The data on soil pH, EC and OC as influenced by application of Biofertilizers and Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs (PPFM) bacteria after harvest of sorghum crop was found to be non-significant. Sorghum crop grown on the treatment T3 (T2 + Soil application of PPFM bacteria @ 2500 ml ha-1) showed higher soil available N (265 kg ha-1), P2O5 (81.4 kg ha-1) and K2O (490 kg ha-1) status after harvest of the crop. The treatment T4 (T2 + Foliar application of PPFM bacteria at 30 and 45 DAS @ 1250 ml ha-1 for each application) showed higher Nitrogen (Grain - 59.7, Stover - 39.2 and Total - 98.9 kg ha-1) Phosphorus (Grain - 16.9, Stover - 10.3 and Total - 27.2 kg ha-1) and Potassium (Grain - 26.7, Stover - 60.5 and Total - 87.1 kg ha-1) uptakes by sorghum at harvest. Conclusion: Sorghum crop grown on the treatment T3 (T2 + Soil application of PPFM bacteria @ 2500 ml ha-1) showed higher soil available N, P2O5 and K2O status after harvest of the crop. The treatment T4 (T2 + Foliar application of PPFM bacteria at 30 and 45 DAS @ 1250 ml ha-1 for each application) showed higher Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium uptakes by sorghum at harvest.