Effect of Azospirillum, vermicompost and nitrogen on dry matter and seed yield of safflower

A field experiment was conducted for three consecutive years during rabi seasons to find out the effect of Azospirillum, vermicompost and nitrogen either alone or in combination on the productivity of safflower. Inoculation of Azospirillum @ 65 g/kg seed along with vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha and 50% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) (20 kg/ha) increased the dry matter production at 30 and 60 days after sowing. 1000 seed weight and seed yield per hectare significantly. The increase in seed yield over un-inoculated control was from 6.76 per cent in vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha alone to 38.28 per cent in 100% RDN (40 kg/ha). The highest yield of 10.44 q/ha was recorded in 100% RDN (40 kg/ha) which was at par with the treatment combination of Azospirillum brasilense @ 65 g/kg seed,vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha and 50% RDN (20 kg/ha) with seed yield of 9.96 q/ha. Thus, the study clearly indicated that the enhanced growth was attributed to the biological nitrogen fixation and increased fertility level of the soil. There was a net saving of 50 per cent nitrogenous fertilizer through seed inoculation of biofertilizer i.e., Azospirillum @ 65 g/kg seed along with application of vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha.