Comparative assessment of different biofertilizers in maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation

Agriculture depends on different fertilizers ranging from living organism to wide range of synthetic chemicals. Due to the elevated toxic effects of chemical fertilizer, there is an urgent need for organic farming and cultivation. The current study aimed to use bacteria (Rhizobium, Azotobacter and Azospirillum), fungi (Trichoderma) and marine macroalgae (Turbinaria ornata) as efficient biofertilizers for maize cultivation and further to compare their effects under various conditions. Soil and irrigating water were evaluated for the physical, chemical and biological parameters prior to the experiments. Bacteria, fungi and macroalgae were used in four different concentrations (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) by using two different treatment methods (soil drench, seed coat). Seeds were soughed, watered and it was followed to monitor the growth and yield. Soil texture exhibits silt clay loam with percolation rate (3.11 min), water holding capacity (19%), capillary action (3.05 min), macronutrient (nitrogen 101 ppm, phosphorous 6 ppm and potassium 410 ppm) and micronutrient (zinc 0.9 ppm, iron 5.2 ppm, copper 1.0 ppm, manganese 2.1 ppm) and was present in the soil. Irrigating water contains sodium 7.9 mEq/l, potassium 4 mEq/l, calcium 0.4 mEq/l, magnesium 1.7 mEq/l, chlorine 0.405 mEq/l, sulphate 3.3 mEq/l and bicarbonate 0.7 mEq/l. Escherichia coli, Clostridium sp., Proteus sp., Bacillus sp., Corynebacterium sp. and Erwiana sp. were isolated from untreated soil sample. At both early stage and flowering stage, the chlorophyll content was high in Turbinaria ornata, whereas Rhizobium elicits very low content among the subjected groups. Soil enzyme dehydrogenase (0.95 mu U/g), phosphatase (47.5 mu U/g) and protease (14.3 mu U/g) increased in the Turbinaria ornata treatment. Soil was enriched with Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Trichoderma and Actinomycete during flowering stage. Maximum plant height (137.8 cm) was observed in T. ornata seed coat method as compared to other groups. Trichoderma treated obtained minimum in plant height. Root length and number of leaves were increased in macroalgae treatment than the other treatment. The weight of one maize seed was found to be maximum (147.8 g) in soil drench 100% treated. In case of yield, Turbinaria ornata-treated maize flour contains protein 14.47 mg/100 g, carbohydrate 81.03 mg/100 g, lipids 4.8 mg/100 g, total fiber 8 mg/100 g and total sugar 0.79 mg/100 g with macro- and micronutrients. Turbinaria ornata treatment shows better growth and yield in maize cultivation than other treatments.