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Pak. J. Bot., 46(1): 375-382, 2014.

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INTEGRATED USE OF PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA, BIOGAS SLURRY AND CHEMICAL NITROGEN FOR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION OF MAIZE UNDER SALT-AFFECTED CONDITIONS

MAQSHOOF AHMAD^1*, ZAHIR AHMAD ZAHIR², MOAZZAM JAMIL¹, FARHEEN NAZLI³, MUHAMMAD LATIF¹ AND M. FAKHAR-U-ZAMAN AKHTAR¹

Abstract: Salinity is one of the most critical constraints hampering agricultural production throughout the world, including Pakistan. Some plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have the ability to reduce the deleterious effect of salinity on plants due to the presence of ACC-deaminase enzyme along with some other mechanisms. The integrated use of organic, chemical and biofertilizers can reduce dependence on expensive chemical inputs. To sustain high crop yields without deterioration of soil fertility, it is important to work out optimal combination of chemical and biofertilizers, and manures in the cropping system. A pot trial was conducted to study the effect of integrated use of PGPR, chemical nitrogen, and biogas slurry for sustainable production of maize under salt-stressed conditions and for good soil health. Results showed that sole application of PGPR, chemical nitrogen and biogas slurry enhanced maize growth but their combined application was more effective. Maximum improvement in maize growth, yield, ionic concentration in leaves and nutrient concentration in grains was observed in the treatment where PGPR and biogas slurry was used in the presence of 100% recommended nitrogen as chemical fertilizer. It also improved the soil pH, EC_e, and available N, P and K contents. It is concluded that integrated use of PGPR, biogas slurry and chemical nitrogen not only enhanced maize growth, yield and quality but also improved soil health. So, it may be evaluated under field conditions to get sustained yield of maize from salt-affected soils.

¹University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100-Pakistan;

²Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan

³Pesticide Quality Control Laboratory, Bahawalpur

^*Corresponding Author: maqshoof_ahmad@yahoo.com; Phone: +92 62 925 5531