Influence of mixed microbial consortium on plant growth and yields of chilli in vertisols

The present work demonstrated that selected growth stimulating bacterial strains with AM fungi are able to increase the growth, yields and nutrient uptake of Chilli in vertisols. Two experiments were conducted in pots as well as in field at ANGRAU, Agricultural Research Station, Amaravathi to study the response of Chilli to the inoculation of mixed microbial consortium of Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Phosphate solubilizing bacteria, Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and chemical fertilizers on AM fungal root colonization, soil microbial populations, yield attributes and yield. Inocuation of mixed microbial consortium including two diazotrophs of Azospirillum and Azotobacter(MC3 consortium) performed the best in recording AM colonization, Number of fruits per plant, Fresh and dry fruit weights per plant in pots. The highest mycorrhizal root colonization 78% and dry fruit weight 51.2 g/plant obtained by inoculation of MC3 consortium with 75%RDF in pots. The inoculation of MC3 consortium with 75% RDF enhanced the soil microbial populations under field conditions. This consortium recorded maximum per cent of nitrogen uptake(2.205%) and gave highest dry chilli yields of 3409.7 kg/ha with a saving of 25% of chemical fertilizers. Over-all the mixed microbial consortium MC3 considered being the balanced combination of different microorganisms for achieving maximum output in the cultivation of Chilli in vertisols of India.