Effect of Biofertilizers and Nitrogen Levels on Yield and Nitrogen Economy in Pearlmillet Under Dryland Conditions

Abstract

An experiment on biofertilizers alongwith different nitrogen (N) levels in pearlmillet was conducted during kharif seasons of 2 years at the Dry Farming Research Station, Solapur. The data pooled over two seasons indicated that the seed inoculation with Azotobacter, Azospirillum and their mixture increased grain and stover yield irrespective of N levels over no biofertilizer inoculation and no N application. Dual inoculation of Azotobacter and Azospirillum + 50 kg N/ha produced the highest grain yield (14.91 g/ha), however, it was at par with the grain yield (13:13 g/ha) obtained with dual inoculation of Azotobacter and Azospirillum + 37.5 kg N/ha. This indicates the possibility of N economy in pearlmillet by the use of biofertilizers.