Effect of NPK Fertilizers and Co-inoculation with Phosphate Solubilising Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus and Potassium Mobilizing Bacteria on Growth, Yield, Nutrient acquisition and Quality of Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

Abstract

In the present study, the effect of inoculation of biofertilizers (phosphorus solubilizing Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (AMF), Glomus intraradices and potassium mobilizing bacterium (KMB), Frateuria aurantia) in combination with chemical fertilizer nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) on growth, yield, nutrient acquisition, and quality of tobacco was observed in pot culture. Factorial combination of biofertilizers (AMF and KMB) and chemical fertilizer (NPK) alone and in combination was applied to see the effect on growth, biomass, nutrient acquisition and leaf quality in tobacco. Results showed that bioinocula applied either singly or in combination did not significantly enhance soil availability of P and K, indicating their unsuitability for direct application. Application of chemical fertilizer in combination with both AMF and KMB strains consistently increased availability of P and K in the soil, improved leaf quality parameters and enhanced plant growth and vigour suggesting the potential use of AMF and KMB as biofertilizers in sustainable tobacco crop production