t.viridae

Europ. J. Agronomy 30 (2009) 296303

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

European Journal of Agronomy

journa l homepage: www.e lsev ier .c

Effect o Triyield a unconditi

R.L. Yadaa Indian Institub Soil Microbioc Division of Crd Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Lucknow, India

a r t i c l e i n f o

Article history:Received 12 JuReceived in reAccepted 22 Ja

Keywords:BioagentSugarcaneSoil healthOrganic carboGluconacetobaTrichodermaSoil microbialN-economy

a b s t r a c t

1. Introdu

SugarcanPlain regionarea in Indmajorproduof legumesthe soils of tcontent. Su100 tha1 i

CorresponE-mail add

1161-0301/$ doi:10.1016/j.ene 2008vised form 22 January 2009nuary 2009

ncter

biomass

Intensive cropping and exhaustive nature of sugarcanewheatrice cropping system in the Indo-GangeticPlains of South Asia have led to the depletion of soil organic carbon content and inherent soil fertilityresulting in a serious threat to the sustainability of these production systems. Bioagents like Gluconace-tobacter diazotrophicus and Trichoderma viride have great potential to restore soil fertility and promotesugarcane growth. Field experiments, therefore, have been conducted to study the integrated effect ofbioagents (G. diazotrophicus and T. viride), Farm Yard Manure (FYM) and fertilizer N on sugarcane rhizo-sphere, crop yield and N economy for two crop cycles during 20042006 and 20052007 crop seasons atLucknow, in the middle Indo-Gangetic plain region. Both bioagents could survive and colonize sugarcanerhizosphere and FYM improved their colonization. Enhanced soil microbial population and microbialcarbon (SMC) and nitrogen (SMN) with increasing N level were probably due to more available N in thesoil. FYM/bioagents amendment further enhanced the microbial carbon. The uniform increase in thefraction of SMC and SMN of total organic carbon indicated that immobilization/mineralization was beingmaintained in the soil where enhanced microbial biomass might act later as a source of nutrients.

Bioagents ammended FYM enhanced the uptake of N, P and K in sugarcane at all the levels of fertilizerN. It was mainly due to the enhanced nutrient availability in the rhizospheric soil as the soil organic C andavailable N, P and K content increased with the application of bioagents/FYM. A saving of 76.3 kgNha1

was envisaged by the use of G. diazotrophicus inoculated FYM with marginal (2.4 t ha1) decline in thecane yield. Application of T. viride enriched FYM, however, brought economy in the use of fertilizer N by45.2 kgha1 and also increased the yield by 6.1 t ha1compared to the control treatment. Overall, strategicplanning in terms of an integrated application of these bioagents/manures with fertilizer N will not onlysustain soil fertility but will also benet farmers in terms of reducing their dependence and expenditureon chemical fertilizers.

2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

ction

e is an important industrial crop of the Indo-Gangeticof South Asia, with an approximate 4.2 million hectareia where ricewheatsugarcane crop rotation is thection system. Theextensive cereal-based cropping, lackin the crop rotations and poor soil manuring have ledhe Indo-Gangetic plains become poor in organic carbongarcane is a very demanding crop as for a cane yield oft removes about 205kg N, 55kg P2O5, 275kg K2O and

ding author. Tel.: +91 522 2480726; fax: +91 522 2480738.ress: [email protected] (R.L. Yadav).

a large amount of micronutrients from the soil (Yaduvanshi andYadav, 1990). In order to sustain productivity, major nutrients areprovided each year at the recommended application rates, whichin the subtropical part of India are 150kgNha1 for the sugarcaneplant crop and 220kgNha1 for its ratoon crop and 60kg each ofP2O5 and K2O ha1 for both the plant and ratoon crops. However,the efciency of sugarcane to utilize N ranges between 16% and45% as large quantities of applied N leach down through the soillayers due to irrigation (Yadav and Prasad, 1992). Deterioration inthe physico-chemical and biological properties of the soil is consid-ered to be the prime reason for the declining sugarcane yield andproductivity (Garside, 1997; Speir et al., 2004).

Integrated nutrient management (INM) through balanced useof chemical fertilizers, manures and biofertilizers is considered a

see front matter 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.ja.2009.01.002f Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus andnd N-economy of sugarcane cultivationons of India

va,, Archna Sumanb, S.R. Prasadc, O. Prakashd

te of Sugarcane Research, P.O. Dilkusha, Rae-barely Road, Lucknow, UP 226 002, Indialogy Laboratory, IISR, Lucknow, Indiaop Production, IISR, Lucknow, Indiaom/ locate /e ja

choderma viride on soil health,der subtropical climatic

R.L. Yadav et al. / Europ. J. Agronomy 30 (2009) 296303 297

promising agro-technique to sustain crop yields, increase fertil-izer use efciency and to restore soil fertility (Kennedy et al.,2004). The application of organic matter from animal manures,crop residues and green manuring has been shown to replenishorganic C aare productability to coable to avaiKennedy etthe rhizospproducingdiazotrophicgen xingexists in hiroot, shootmarily respsubstantiallDbereinerinvolving mtion and itterms of imbiomass anet al., 2002reported tharcane variinoculationuptake and2005). Howpopulation(Suman etties associagrowth horsionof red r2001).

Field inoferent orgasugarcane sinformationof sugarcanthe presentofG. diazotrmanure: (i)and colonizcrop produc

The ultimwherein nuway by utilfertilizer. Thcally by lowsoil quality.

2. Materia

2.1. The exp

A eld(20042006Institute ofimental sitecold winterperatures dand in wintannual raintion 1750mnorth-west

The soil of the experimental site belongs to ne loamy non-calcareous mixed hyperthermic Udic ustochrepts and is welldrained, at (about 1% slope). Before commencement of the exper-iment in both the seasons, soil samples were collected from 0 to

pros weizedesh s(WaaHCwingcond 22gha

oisture an

eatm

re ws ofd 3000, Ntioniazo

Gd, (or Flit pain pentsSe 92ed bas cocropber 2arveall th2Ohuriatorusioagpplien waost-

eparaultur

ate Iss inocolonnte

, thedaysy 9.2YM:ressriliznt co1.5%carrints gane sss inoPota

days.nd improve soil structure and fertility. Biofertilizerss containing living cell of microorganisms having thenvert nutritionally important elements from unavail-lable form through biological processes (Vessey, 2003;al., 2004). Trichoderma spp. is common inhabitants ofhere and is well recognized as plant growth hormoneand biocontrol agents (Chet, 1987). Gluconacetobacterus (earlier known asAcetobacter diazotrophicus) a nitro-bacteria, associated with sugarcane as an endophytegh numbers (as high as 106 counts g1 plant tissue) inand leaves (Cavalante and Dobereiner, 1988). It is pri-onsible for biological N xation and seems to contributey to nitrogen nutrition of the plant (James et al., 1994;et al., 1995). G. diazotrophicus inoculation experimentsicro-propagated plants suggest the positive coloniza-s contribution to plant growth and development inproved plant height, nitrogenase activity, leaf nitrogen,d yield (James et al., 1994; Sevilla et al., 2001; Oliveira; Muthukumarasamy et al., 2002). Suman et al. (2001)at the native occurrence of G. diazotrophicus in sug-eties of subtropical India is very low but through theof efcient indigenous isolates, their number, plant Nnutrient use efciency could be increased (Suman et al.,ever, high N fertilization causes a negative effect on theof such endophytic diazotrophic bacteria in sugarcaneal., 2008). Apart from nitrogen xation, other proper-ted with G. diazotrophicus are P-solubilization, plantmone indole acetic acid (IAA) production and suppres-ot disease (Muthukumarasamyet al., 1999; Sumanet al.,

culation of G. diazotrophicus and Trichoderma with dif-nic manures indicated a positive nutrient balance inoils (Singh et al., 2007; Shukla et al., 2008). However,regarding their integratedusewith fertilizerN in terms

e cropproductivity andNeconomy is lacking. Therefore,study was planned to evaluate the effect of inoculationophicusandTrichodermaviridewithandwithoutorganicon soil chemical and biological activity, (ii) the survivalation of introduced bioagents and ultimately, (iii) ontivity, N-economy and yield response.ate goal of the present study is to develop a strategy

trient needs of sugarcane crop be met in a sustainableizing suitable bioagents and/or organic manure with Nis shall not only help the farmer community economi-ering down the production costs but also improve the

ls and methods

erimental site, climate and soil

experiment was conducted during two crop seasonsand 20052007) at the Research Farm of the Indian

Sugarcane Research, Lucknow. The climate of the exper-is semi-arid subtropical with hot dry summers and

s. The average monthly minimum and maximum tem-uring summer (AprilJune) range from 18.4 to 39.1 Cer (NovemberFebruary) from 7.4 to 29 C. The averagefall is 1045.5mm and cumulative open pan evapora-m, nearly 72% of the total rainfall is received throughmonsoons during JulySeptember.

15 cmsamplepulver100-mcarbon0.5M NK folloand K18.4 an218.0 kThe mpressu

2.2. Tr

The6 mode200 anN0, N10applicaB2: G. dFYM+gents nin a spas a mtreatmety Codescribused w

TheNovemwere hunder80kgKand mphosphFYM, bwere anitrogeand 2 p

2.3. Prbased c

Isolfor masingle(Cavala3 daysAfter 5imatelmud:Ftiesofpand steNutriemud (paredGd cousugarc

Mature onfor 10le depth at 4 sites in the experimental eld. The sub-re mixed was bulked and representative sample drawn,using wooden pestle and mortar and sieved throughieve. The processed samples were analyzed for organiclkley and Black method), available N (KMNO4-method),O3 (pH 8.5) extractable P and 1N NH4OAC-extractablePage et al. (1982). Organic carbon, available N, P

tents of the experimental eld were 0.44%, 258.0,0.0 kgha1 in 20042006, and 0.42%, 260.0, 22.5 and1 in 20052007, respectively. The pH of the soil was 8.2.re content of the soil was 21.5% at 0.3 bar atmosphericd 6.3% at 15bar.

ent and crop cultivation

ere 24 treatment combinations having 4 levels of N andbioagents/FYM application. Four levels of N were 0, 100,kg ofNha1 supplied throughurea andwere termedas

200 and N300, respectively. Six modes of bioagents/FYMincluded: (i) B1: Farm Yard Manure (FYM) 10 tha1, (ii)trophicus alone (Gd), (iii) B3: T. viride (Tv) alone, (iv) B4:v) B5: FYM+ Tv and (vi) C: control where neither bioa-YM was applied. The treatments were replicated thricelot design having mode of bioagents/FYM applicationlot treatment and levels of N application as sub-plot

. The size of sub-plots was 10m10m. Sugarcane vari-423 was used for planting using ring-pit technique asy Singh et al. (1984) and Yadav and Kumar (2005). FYMntaining 0.5% N, 0.27% P and 0.25% K.was planted using 100,000 2-bud cane setts ha1 on 24004andagainon22October 2005. The respective crops

sted on 22 February 2006 and 28 January 2007. The crope treatments received a uniform dose of 60kg P2O5 anda1. Urea (46.4% N), Single super phosphate (16% P2O5)e of potash (60% K2O) were used to supply nitrogen,and potassium, respectively. Entire dose of P and K,

ents and one-third dose of nitrogen as per treatmentd at the time of planting beneath cane setts. Remainders top dressed in June. The crop received 4 pre-monsoonmonsoon irrigations.

tion and application of G. diazotrophicus and T. viridee

S100 of G. diazotrophicus (Suman et al., 2005) was usedculation production. Starter culture was prepared fromy of G. diazotrophicus in 100ml of sterilized LGI broth

and Dobereiner, 1988) and after incubating at 30 C forstarter inoculum was used to inoculate 5 l of LGI broth.of incubation at 30 C, the culture broth having approx-108 cellsml1 was mixed with 5kg of carrier (Press1:1). The carrier was prepared by mixing equal quanti-mud, a sugar factorybyproductandFYM,ground, sieveded at 121 C (5 lb pressure) for 1h for 3 consecutive days.mposition of FYM (0.5% N, 0.3% P and 0.5% K) and pressN, 1.0% P and 1.2% K) was also determined. The pre-er based inoculum contained approximately 4.01081 and 15kgha1 of it was used by sprinking over theetts in furrows at plant crop initiation.culumof T. viridewaspreparedbypreparing starter cul-to-dextrose agar medium plates and incubated at 30 CWell sporulated culture was scrapped from the media

298 R.L. Yadav et al. / Europ. J. Agronomy 30 (2009) 296303

plates and mixed with sterilized corn grain powder and incubatedfor 15 days at 30 C, after which it was mixed with sterilized FYMcarrier and further incubated for 15days at 30 C. The prepared FYMcarrier based inoculum containing approximately 5107 Tv countsg1 and 20

2.4. Enume

For enumarcane, soilzone along rduring Auggrowth stagent treatmeon Trypticagar for aermedium viaulation (Cavplated on Rspp. amongmicroscopic

2.5. Soil an

After har0 to 15 cmter. Soil samK as descriusing the cand Powlso

For dry mlength at hshoot, dry arating differdrawn for dground in strated H2SO(HNO3 andcontent waanalyser, P1966)usingter.

2.6. Statisti

The dataarately. TheBartletts Xanalysis wasons was ndiscussed h

To compsplit plot facthe degree2, bioinocuof bioinocucompared u(Snedecor a

The econmodes of N

X = 12c

(PNPS

where X isthe constan

Table 1Microbial population in the sugarcane rhizosphere soil as inuenced by bioa-gents/FYM and N levels.

Treatments Microbial population (counts g1 soil)

urea a); B3:0 kgnith drange

n (Intively

+ cNY isc aresed o

ult

lonizhere

ulatiion oudiedfun

the ms affend thof Gdnts. Iculummpaane rInocuizosp249

ced iy 4 tilizer N affected the population of Tv and it increased from254counts g1 when N was increased from N0 to N200 buter dose of fertilizer N (N300) decline in Tv population wased.

il chemical and microbial properties as inuenced bynts/FYM

organic carbon (SOC) content increased only where T.as used and was signicantly highest in plots treated with

Tv compared to control plot (Fig. 1). SOC content increasedcreasing levels of fertilizerNandwas statistically at par up toNha1. The enhanced availability of N and P with increasingf fertilizerwas statistically at par. Availability ofKwas signif-higher at higher levels of fertilizer N (200 and 300kgha1).bioagents and FYM, the availability of N was enhanced onlykgha1 was used as mentioned above.

ration of total bacteria and fungi population

eratingmicrobial population in the rhizosphere of sug-samples were drawn from 0 to 15 cm depth near rootowsof standing cropby a core sampler of 8 cmdiameterust which coincides with the maximum (called grand)e of the crop. Serial dilutions of soil samples of differ-nts using saline buffer blankswere prepared and platedSoy agar and Tryptone Yeast-extract Mannitol (TYM)obic heterotrophic bacteria and added to semisolid LGIls with 0.3% agaragar for putative diazotrophic pop-alante and Dobereiner, 1988). Similarly dilutions wereose-Bengal Agar for total fungi counts and Trichodermafungal colonies were identied by characterizing themally for suitable characteristics (Pitt andHocking, 1985).

d plant analysis

vest of the crop, soil samples were collected again fromprole in each plot by a core sampler of 8 cm diame-ples were analyzed for organic C, available N, P and

bed above. Soil microbial C and N were determinedhloroform fumigationincubation method (Jenkinsonn, 1976).atter and nutrient uptake studies, plants from 1m row

arvest were uprooted from each plot with intact root,nd green leaves. Fresh weight was recorded after sepa-ent plant components and a representative sample wasrying in hot air oven at 70 C. The dried samples weretainless steel Wiley mill and wet digested in concen-4 for determination of total N and in di-acid mixtureHClO4: 4:1) for determination of total P and K. The Ns determined by Kjeldahl method using Kjeltec auto-by Vanado molybadate Yellow colour method (Piper,anUVvis spectrophotometer andKbyamephotome-

cal analysis of data

of each crop season were statistically analyzed sep-n the homogeneity of error variance was tested using2 test. As the error variance was homogenous, pooleds done. Since the variation between the two crop sea-ot signicant, the mean data of two crop seasons areere.are the treatments, two-way analysis of variance for atorial designwasused. Foranalysisof variance (ANOVA)s of freedom (d.f.) were partitioned as: replications-lants/manure-5, error (a) 10, N levels-3, interactionlants/manure X N-level-15, error (b) 36. Means weresingDuncansmultiple-range test as a post hoc analysisnd Cochran, 1967).omic optimumdoses of N for sugarcane under differentapplication were worked out by formula.

b)

the economic optimum dose (Nkgha1), b and c arets of quadratic curve, PN and Ps represent the price of

ControlB1B2B3B4B5N0N100N200N300

Control:icus (GdN100: 10Means wmultiple

nitrogerespec

Y = bNwhereb andexpres

3. Res

3.1. Corhizosp

Poponizatwas stria andwhichGd waN100 alationbioageGd inoFYM cosugarcplots.the rhmatelyenhanimatelof fert166 toat highrecord

3.2. Sobioage

Soilviride wFYM+with in200kglevels oicantlyAmongTotal bacteria Gd Total fungi Tv

2.2106a 50.0b 3.2103b 5.3a3.6106cd 78.8c 2.7103a 6.5a3.3106c 124.5d 2.7103a 5.3a2.6106b 26.3a 5.7103c 248.8b2.6106b 247.5f 2.7103a 8.3a3.1106c 29.0a 2.7103a 950.0c1.3106a 87.0c 1.5103a 166.0b2.9106b 196.0e 3.8103b 204.7b4.6106d 76.5c 5.7103c 254.5b2.8106b 10.8a 2.2103a 190.8b

lone; B1: Farm Yard Manure (FYM); B2: Gluconacetobacter diazotroph-Trichoderma viride (Tv); B4: FYM+Gd; B5: FYM+ Tv; N0: no nitrogen;itrogenha1; N200: 200kgnitrogenha1; N300: 300kgnitrogenha1.ifferent letters are signicantly different at P0.05 by the Duncanstest.

dian rupees 10.5 kg1) and sugarcane (Rs. 12000 t1). Yield response curves were calculated as

2

expected response, N is the dose of nitrogen (kgha1)the constants of the tted response curve. All data aren an oven-dry soil weight basis.

ation of inoculated bioagents in the sugarcane

on of culturalable bacterial and fungal isolates and col-f G. diazotrophicus and T. viride in sugarcane rhizosphereusing selective growth medium. Population of bacte-

gi increased with increasing level of N up to N200, aftericrobial population declined (Table 1). Colonization ofcted by N fertilizer as Gd counts increased only up toereafter, decreased with increase in N fertilizer. Popu-in sugarcane was affected by the addition of FYM andt increased signicantly with the addition of FYM andbut decreased with the inoculation of Tv alone or with

red to control treatment. The native occurrence of Tv inanged from5 to 8g1 soil in control, FYMandGd treatedlation with bioagent Tv indicated its colonization inheric soil as the Tv population increased to approxi-counts g1 in treatmentB3. InclusionofTvenrichedFYMts colonization as the Tv population increased approx-imes to 950 counts g1 soil in B5 treatment. Addition


Fig. 1. Soil orgtreatment andB2: GluconacetB5: FYM+ Tv. NN300: 300kgntion sections lthe Duncans m

when FYMFYM did noavailabilitybioagents.

Soil micrand nitroge(Fig. 2). SMCFYM with mcompared tto differentpared to the

Increasintion of OC (at N0 to 9.00.08% at N3the fractiondiffer signi

3.3. Sugarcane yield and nutrient uptake as inuenced bybioagents/FYM

Fertilizer-N application to the sugarcane crop increased the caneignicantly as the N level increased from N0 to N300 butferences in yield between N200 and N300 were not signi-ig. 3). Application of FYM and bioagents (Gd and Tv) alone orbination enhanced the cane yield signicantly (716 tha1)red to controlwhere only fertilizer Nwas used (Fig. 3). Treat-, where bioagents alone were used (B2 and B3) increased theield by 6.49.4% compared to control (C). These treatmentstatistically at par with FYM alone (B1) in improving the cane.6%).On theotherhand theapplicationof FYMenrichedwithnts (treatments B4 and B5) improved the cane yield maxi-1013.5%) compared to control and were signicantly bettere FYMalone;withmaximumincrease in FYM+ Tv treatment.average, the crop removed 176kg N, 29kg P and 158kg K pere. In general, N, P and K uptake was least in N-unfertilizedig. 3). However,whenNwas applied at 100kgha1, Nuptakeed by 24.2 kgha1, P uptake by 2kgha1 and K uptake bya1. When level of N raised from N to N N uptake wasyield sthe difcant (Fin comcompamentscane ywere syield (8bioagemum (than th

Onhectarplots (Fincreas2.8 kghanic C and available NPK content as inuenced by bioagents/manurelevels of N application. C: urea alone; B1: Farm Yard Manure (FYM);obacter diazotrophicus (Gd); B3: Trichoderma viride (Tv); B4: FYM+Gd;0: nonitrogen;N100: 100kgnitrogenha1;N200: 200kgnitrogenha1;itrogenha1. Treatment bars of bioinoculant/manures and N applica-abeled with different letters are signicantly different at P0.05 byultiple range test.

was used. The bioagents alone or in combination witht improve the availability of N in soil. However, theof P and K was signicantly enhanced using FYM and

obial activity measured as soil microbial carbon (SMC)n (SMN) increased with increasing levels of fertilizer Nincreased signicantly with inclusion of bioagents andaximum being in plots treated with FYM and FYM+ Tvo the control plot. SMN did not differ signicantly duetreatments of FYM and bioagents and was less as com-control treatment.g levels of fertilizer N increased SMCand SMNas a frac-SMC or SMN/OC). The SMC fraction ranged from 4.89%9% at N300 and SMN fraction ranged from 0.04% at N0 to00. Inclusion of bioagents and FYM invariably increasedof SMC and SMN of OC compared to control but did notcantly among different treatments.

100 200increased by 30.7 kgha1, P uptake by 3.4 kgha1 and K uptake by4.9 kgha1. Raising the level of N from200 to 300kgha1 enhancedN uptake by 31.3 kgha1, P uptake by 2.7 kgha1 and K uptakeby 3.3 kgha1. Application of FYM and bioagents improved theN-uptake at all levels of N, the greatest uptake was found in theplots treated with FYM+ Tv. Application of FYM alone increased theuptake of P and K but was statistically at par with the control treat-ment, however, the application of bioagents alone or enriched FYMsignicantly improved the uptake of P and K.

3.4. N optimum and crop yield response

From thand fertilizeach bioage

Fig. 2. Soil miand different lG. diazotrophicN100: 100kgnTreatment bardifferent lettertest.e quadratic curve and equation between cane yielder N level (Fig. 4) the N optimum was calculated fornt/FYM treatment as the interaction of the bioagent

crobial C and N (SMC and SMN) as inuenced by bioagents/manureevels of N application. C: urea alone; B1: Farm Yard Manure (FYM); B2:us (Gd); B3: T. viride (Tv); B4: FYM+Gd; B5: FYM+ Tv. N0: no nitrogen;itrogenha1; N200: 200kgnitrogenha1; N300: 300kgnitrogenha1.s of bioinoculant/manures and N application sections labeled withs are signicantly different at P0.05 by the Duncans multiple range


Fig. 3. Canegents/manureManure (FYMFYM+ Tv; N0:N300: 300kgntion sections lthe Duncans m

X N interacbioagents/Ffor sugarcaGd supplem(221kgha

mum N dos(1.21 t kg1

(1.00 t kg1

ield reion C:

Table 2Optimum nitr

Treatments

ControlB1B2B3B4B5

Control: urea aFig. 4. Yapplicatyield and uptake of NPK by sugarcane as inuenced by bioa-treatment and levels of N application. C: urea alone; B1: Farm Yard); B2: G. diazotrophicus (Gd); B3: T. viride (Tv); B4: FYM+Gd; B5:no nitrogen; N100: 100kgnitrogenha1; N200: 200kgnitrogenha1;itrogenha1. Treatment bars of bioinoculant/manures and N applica-abeled with different letters are signicantly different at P0.05 byultiple range test.

tion was signicant for yield (R2 >0.96 for differentYM treatments). The optimum economic dose of Nne resulted to be the lowest (106.25kgha1) whenented FYM was applied to the crop and the highest

1) when FYM alone was applied (Table 2). At these opti-es, the cane yield response per kg of N used was highestN) where FYM+Gd was used, followed by FYM+ TvN). The yield response to Gd (0.83 t kg1 N) and Tv

B3: T. viride (Tv

(0.86 t kg1

control andof N was 1whereas in(0.64 t kg1

4. Discussi

IndiscrimIndo-Gangeductivity, isand envirohave emergmanagemeN-xation,controllinghas been idincrease so(Vessey, 20study waselds could(Gd) and T.may in turnimproved c

4.1. Soil pro

Our expimproved tarcane rhiz

ogen dose and yield response of sugarcane as inuenced by bioagents/FYM application.

Yield curve R2 N optimum (kgha1)

104.67+0.1976N0.0003N2 0.946 182.5111.54+0.1759N0.0002N2 0.981 221.0109.5 +0.1492N0.0002N2 0.980 153.7113.257+0.1483N0.0002N2 0.960 152.0116.84+0.13N0.0002N2 0.980 106.2119.35+0.1699N0.0002N2 0.980 137.3

lone; B1: Farm Yard Manure (FYM); B2: G. diazotrophicus (Gd); B3: T. viride (Tv); B4: FYMsponse curves for N application rates as inuenced by bioagents/FYMurea alone; B1: Farm Yard Manure (FYM); B2: G. diazotrophicus (Gd);); B4: FYM+Gd; B5: FYM+ Tv.

N) inoculation alone was also high as compared toFYM treatment. In the control plot the optimum dose

82.5 kgNha1 and the yield response was 0.72 t kg1,FYM treatment the yield response was the lowestN).

on

inate high use of fertilizer N by the farmers in thetic Plains, to tackle declining crop yields and factor pro-themajor concern for sustaining agriculture, soil healthnment pollution. In recent years, microbial bioagentsed as an important component of integrated nutrientnt of a crop due to their multiple benets in terms ofP-solubilization, plant growth hormone production andpest and disease infestations etc. The use of bioagentsentied as an alternative to chemical fertilization toil fertility and crop production in sustainable farming03; Kennedy et al., 2004). In this perspective the presentplanned to examine whether soil health of sugarcane

be improved by using bioagents like G. diazotrophicus

viride (Tv) along with FYM and chemical nitrogen whichimprove N use efciency of the crop and result into

rop yields and N saving.

perties

eriments showed that FYM along with bioagentshe soil organic carbon and available nutrients in sug-osphere. The soluble and intermediate C pool is easily

Cane yield at N optimum (tha1) Yield response (t kg1 N)

130.7 0.72140.6 0.64127.7 0.83131.1 0.86128.3 1.21137.0 1.00

+Gd; B5: FYM+ Tv.


affected by cultivation, amendments, and weather conditions(Staben et al., 1997; Salinas-Garcia et al., 1997; Zaman and Chang,2004). Higher soil organic matter following the application ofmanure like sulphitation press mud has been reported by Dee et al.(2003) undloss of soil oand Hamiltof FYM impapplicationimmobilizareduces leabon due tofor a longeKuppuswamshown thatwith manurter contenthigher in thThe improvrelease of Psorption ducomplexingAlP complcentration iet al., 2006by recyclingincorporati(Suman et athe use oforganic magents inocubenecial a

Soil micof soil healLadd, 1981;rate, it playlization/minplant uptakwith increamicrobial athe role offor enhanceamendmenents availadifferent bisume a confor maintenwith the prin the fractibilization/menhanced ments. Singhsugarcanethe controlcropping syority of intechemical feing soil heenzymes li(Yadav et awith recomcated for acactivity andDwivedi, 20ciency of dif2003).

4.2. Microbial activity and inoculum establishment in thesugarcane rhizosphere

Soil harbors high population density and enormous natu-crobemilsmamicrduees, rri, 2re dnt szospon (ffectsudy,ditioed ule nuDec

0 postiontionhis ioteded siA. chentrl/bacwhig doer ea biompeouldtionof G.) andGd iarlieN inSumnon-ectowthN r2; S

gnin frompro

wand n

trien

arcananded nt stucreas. Sind K inane sing ser sugarcane growing conditions which often witness arganic matter under conventional agriculture (Hayneson, 1999). Slow release of nutrients in the presenceroves the soil fertility compared to chemical fertilizers (Chowdhary et al., 2004) and the use of bioagents bytion retain soil nutrients in the plantsoil system andching losses (Kennedy et al., 2004). Increased soil car-application of bioagents and FYM sustains soil healthr period than the chemical fertilization (Jeyabal andy, 2003; Amlinger et al., 2003). Wu et al. (2005) havethe dual inoculation of rhizobacteria and mycorrhizaee resulted in a signicant increase of soil organic mat-in the maize rhizosphere. The availability of P was alsoe treatments where bioagents amended FYM was used.ed availability of P due to manuring could be due to thefrom the decomposition of amended residue, reduced Pe to blocking of P-sorption sites by organic compounds,of Al by organic compounds leading to P release from

exes, or increased soil pH leading to an increased P con-n the soil solution (Cong and Mercky, 2005; Gelsomino). Enhanced availability of P in sugarcane rhizosphereresidues of intercrops (pulses/cereals) and press mud

on could improve the uptake of P and other nutrientsl., 2006; Singh et al., 2007). Wani (1990) reported thatsuitable farmyard manures, green manures and othernures and fertilizers may enhance the benets of bioa-lation as the energy required for various metabolicallyctivities is met through C content of the soil.robial biomass (SMC and SMN) is a sensitive indicatorth and is only 14% of soil organic C (Jenkinson andAnderson and Domsch, 1989). Due to its fast turnovers a key role in controlling nutrient cycles (immobi-eralization) and thus the availability of nutrients fore (Li and Chen, 2004). Increase in both SMC and SMNsing N level was mainly due to easily available N forctivity. Graham and Haynes (2005) have also indicatedreadily available nutrients through NPK applicationd microbial population and biomass. FYM/bioagents

t further improved themicrobial biomass and the nutri-bility for the plant uptake. SMN was at par amongoagents and FYM treatment. Soil microorganisms con-siderable amount of organic matter to generate energyance and growth; hence some organic carbon is lostoduction of carbon dioxide. Here, the uniform increaseon of SMC and SMN of total SOC indicated that immo-ineralization equilibrium is maintained in the soil andicrobial biomass shall act later as a source of nutri-et al. (2007) also found higher microbial biomass in

rhizosphere in the plots receiving bio-manures thanplots. Long-term studies on sugarcanewheatrice

stem in subtropical Indian climate also revealed superi-grated nutrient supply (chemical fertilizer + FYM) overrtilizer alone for sustaining crops yield and improv-alth in terms of SMC and SMN and activities of soilke dehydrogenase, urease and alkaline phosphatasel., under publication). The application of FYM alongmended rates of chemical fertilizers have been advo-cumulation and sequestration of C, improved biological

soil fertility (Zaller and Kopke, 2004; Dwivedi and07) and enrichment with bioagents increased the ef-ferent organic amendments (Jeyabal andKuppuswamy,

ral miand ch(Handein theoccurpracticand Johzosphethe plathe rhibilizatiturn athis stthe adincreasavailab2005).at N30populaitricahere. Twho ndeceastionofN concarcheasphereis beinLeining

Forand coand shpopulalation(Fig. 1ber ofwith eor low1999;tion ofmay rethe grtain itsal., 200was sipetitiosoils. Iof FYMas C ation.

4.3. Nu

Sugof FYMenhancpresenalso in(Fig. 3)N, P ansugarcincludial diversity under a tremendous range of physicalcal conditions, of which only


lants/FYM resulted into enhanced uptake of nutrients. Suman et al.(2005) and Srivastava et al. (2006) attributed enhanced uptake ofplant nutrients by inoculationwithGd and Tv to signicant changesin various plant growthparameters such as plant height, tiller num-ber and dry matter yield. Enhanced N uptake has also been shownby the inocumoting bacthe benecito the prod2000).

Signicanon-signiccation of hthe cane yieuptake becainput was inlevels due tthe role of itistically paFYM were ubial activityeffect of inoorganic C foshall sustai(2008) alsoin improvinand nitroge

Theultimeconomy inbioagents. Ieconomic opared to it tin plots tre76.3 kgNhatreatment. Oonly broughalso increasinclusion oproved be ttilizer; consand these buse in integ

5. Conclus

In Middin improvinand yield haconacetobaccarbon whiperiod. FYMof inoculateplantmicrotheir plantwith FYM aonly sustainsphere duerelevance foavailable foFYM inoculing biologicresulted in hThus, applicsoil healthPlain region

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n this respect, it may be stated that in control plots theptimum N dose resulted to be 182.5 kgha1 and com-he least economic optimum N dose was 106.2 kgNha1

ated with Gd inoculated FYM. Thus a saving of about1 may be envisagedwith 2.4 t ha1 yield decline in thisn the other hand, application of Tv inoculated FYM nott economy in the use of fertilizer N by 45.2 kgha1, ited the cane yield by 6.1 t ha1 over control plots. Overallf manures and bioagents for nutrient mobilization haso benecial for sugarcane productivity and saving N fer-equently the amount of N-fertilizer could be reducedenecial bioagents should be recommended for theirrated nutrient management.

ion

le Gangetic Plain importance of organic amendmentsg soil quality, ecological conditions, sugarcane growths been recognized. Application of Trichoderma and Glu-ter inoculated farm yard manure improved soil organicch in turn helped in sustaining soil health for longerprovided organic carbon for enhanced multiplicationd microbial agents and provided a suitable niche forbe interactions. G. diazotrophicus and T. viride due togrowth promotion ability produced synergistic effects compared to control. Enhanced organic carbon noted crop health but also retained more N in plant rhizo-to immobilizationbymicrobial population. This also hasr minimizing N leaching losses and making nutrientsr the crop growth. Improved microbial population inated treatments clearly established their role in improv-al activity. T. viride and G. diazotrophicus enriched FYMigher cane yields and economy in the use of fertilizer N.ation of bioagents and manures can help in sustainingand increasing sugarcane production in Indo-Gangetic.

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Effect of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus and Trichoderma viride on soil health, yield and N-economy of sugarcane cultivation under subtropical climatic conditions of IndiaIntroductionMaterials and methodsThe experimental site, climate and soilTreatment and crop cultivationPreparation and application of G. diazotrophicus and T. viride based cultureEnumeration of total bacteria and fungi populationSoil and plant analysisStatistical analysis of data

ResultColonization of inoculated bioagents in the sugarcane rhizosphereSoil chemical and microbial properties as influenced by bioagents/FYMSugarcane yield and nutrient uptake as influenced by bioagents/FYMN optimum and crop yield response

DiscussionSoil propertiesMicrobial activity and inoculum establishment in the sugarcane rhizosphereNutrient uptake and yield response

ConclusionReferences

t.viridae

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