Evaluation of Maize Nutrient Contents in a Maize/Cowpea Intercropping Systems in South Africa

In the preset context, the best alternative of chemical fertilizer is necessary because of its adverse effects on the soil health. There are several alternatives available to enhance the soil fertility one of them is Azotobacter. It is a free-living N2- fixer diazotroph that has several beneficial effects on the crop growth and yield. It helps in synthesis of growth regulating substances like auxins, cytokinin and Giberellic Acid (GA). In addition, it stimulates rhizospheric microbes, protects the plants from phyto-pathogens, improves nutrient uptake and ultimately boost up biological nitrogen fixation. The abundance of these bacteria in soil is related to many factors, mostly soil pH and fertility.