Combined Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

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Background and Objective: Biofertilizers are cost-effective and eco-friendly while chemicals fertilizer are not only costly but also pollutes our natural resources.The objective of this study was to search out a better combination of PGPR with chemical fertilizer that can reduce the inorganic fertilizer requirement for wheat crops.Materials and Methods: This pot study was carried out in a greenhouse of NARC Islamabad in a completely randomized design.Three nitrogen levels, Zero (ON), 75% (75 N) and 100% (100 N) of recommended dose (120kg/N/ha) and three PGPR, WPR-32 (Azotobacter), WPR-42 (Azospirillum) and WPR-51 (Azospirillum) were used in four treatments (T 1 = No inoculum, T 2 = WPR-32, T 3 = WPR-42, T 4 = WPR-51 and T 5 = WPR-32+42+51).Results: The results of all treatments showed improvement in various growth and yield parameters of wheat (Shoot Length (cm), Shoot dry weight (g/plant), Root dry weight (g plant), Grain Yield (g/plant), Straw yield (g/plant), Grain nitrogen (% plant), Grain phosphorus (%), Grain protein contents (% plant).The combined application of isolates (WPR-32+WPR-42+WPR-51) gave 41%, 27% and 4.68%, respectively higher yield over control at three levels of fertilizer.Whereas, the single application of isolates gave an average increase of 18% and 24%, respectively over control at two levels of fertilizer (0 N, 75 N).While, an increase of 16% was recorded over control at 100 N. The combined inoculation of isolates at 75% (75 N) gave the grain yield at par to 100 N application.Conclusion: It was concluded that nitrogen fertilizer application can be reduced by at least 25% without compromising on the yield of the wheat crop.The PGPR application is economical for the farmer and also environmentally friendly as well.