Effect of Vermicompost, Mineral and Biofertilization on Soil Fertility and Productivity of Pearl Millet Plants Grown in Sandy Soil

Abstract

his study was carried out during the two successive seasons of 2020 and 2021 on pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), grown in sandy soil under drip irrigation system at Baloza Research Station, North Sinai Governorate, Egypt (31°32 03 N and 32° 362 03 E). The present study aims at the evaluation of the effect of using vermicompost, NPK (100 and 75% levels), biofertilization (mixture from Azotobacter chroococcum, Pseudomonas fluorescence and Streptomyces microflavus), dual (verimcompost + NPK) and mixed treatment (vermicompost + NPK + bio). The obtained results indicated that the mixed treatment (vermicompost + NPK + bio) increased growth parameters, yield parameters, NPK content and improved soil fertility. Furthermore, addition of biofertilizers showed a positive effect on total microbial counts, Azotobacter densities, Pseudomonas and Actinomycetes counts in the rhizosphere region of pearl millet plant. On the other hand, microbial activity expressed by dehydrogenase enzyme increased as compared to the control.