2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Transcription

1 2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE The basic concept of integrated nutrient management (INM) is the maintenance of soil fertility and plant nutrient supply to an optimum level for sustaining the desired crop productivity. The appropriate combination of inorganic fertilizers, organic manures and biofertilizers varies according to the system of land use, ecological, social and economic conditions (Roy, 1994).The integrated plant nutrient supply and management system aims at sustaining productivity with minimum deleterious effect on soil health and environment. The system enhances nutrient use efficiency, maintains soil health, enhances yield and reduces cost of cultivation (Sharma, 2008). Integrated nutrient management is more important and relevant in the hills where inorganic fertilizer consumption is much less than in the plains (Sharma et al. 1998). Integrated nutrient management is a balanced use of inorganic fertilizers, organic manures, crop residues and biofertilizers in combination to maintain the desired crop production alongwith maintenance of soil health (Hazra, 2007 and Singh et al. 2009). Since the available literature on integrated nutrient management in sprouting broccoli and brinjal is scanty, the available information pertaining to the aspects under study in sprouting broccoli and other cole crops and brinjal and other solanaceous vegetables is briefly reviewed as under: 2.1 Sprouting broccoli and other cole crops 2.2 Brinjal and other Solanaceous crops 2.1 SPROUTING BROCCOLI AND OTHER COLE CROPS Growth, yield and yield contributing parameters Hovadik (1956) carried out experiment in laboratory as well as field and revealed that inoculation of cabbage seed with Azotobacter had a favourable effect on early plant growth, root development and final yield. He further reported that use of Azotobacter in sprouting broccoli as a seed inoculant enhanced yield

2 by per cent. Mishustin and Naumova (1962) reported that bacterial fertilizers improved yield of many vegetables and observed per cent increase in yield. Lehri and Mehrotra (1972) isolated four strains of Azotobacter chroococcum from different soils of Uttar Pradesh. The roots of cabbage seedling were dipped in bacterial suspensions before planting. While working on integrated nutrient management, it was found that cabbage responded well to the bacterial inoculation. Successful proliferation of Azotobacter was observed with synthetic fertilizers and upto 50% yield increase in cabbage was obtained at the lowest fertility level. Conty et al. (1974) reported that dipping of cabbage seedlings with Azotobacter chroococcum before transplanting alongwith soil application of 40kg N and 100kg P 2 O 5 /ha increased the yield by 65.11% over the control (150kg N and 100kg P 2 O 5 /ha) besides saving nitrogen fertilizer. JeevaJothi et al. (1993) conducted an experiment to asses the influence of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and Azospirillum on yield of cabbage. The study revealed that dose of 100:125:25 of NPK alongwith 2kg/ha was optimum for cabbage to get increased yields of tonnes/ha in the Hosor belt of North western Zone of Tamilnadu. Wange et al. (1995) observed the response of cabbage var. Golden Acre to microbial inoculants and incremental levels of nitrogen. The treatment comprised of four levels of biofertilizers viz., un-inoculated control, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Azotobacter and Azospirillum and four levels of nitrogen viz., 0,160, 200 and 240 kg/ha. The study revealed that application of 200 kg/ha gave higher cabbage yield (84%), highest monetary returns and more benefit cost ratio over control. Inoculation with cultures showed an increase of 15-20% in yield over uninoculated control. Different cultures performed well with varying nitrogen levels in increasing cabbage yield.

3 Hsieh-chingFang and Hsu-KuoNan (1996) conducted a field experiment at Datsuen in Changhua Hsien, Taiwan, on broccoli using conventional farming, partial organic farming with effective microorganism (EM), organic farming with pig manure compost and effective microorganism, organic farming with poultry manure compost and effective microorganism. It was found that growth and yield of broccoli in the organic treatment were higher than control. Poultry manure compost treatment gave 26.2% increase over control, followed by pig manure treatment (18.3%). It was suggested that the better soil fertility factors such as lower salinity, higher organic matter, higher available phosphorus and micro elements and the application of effective micro organism (EM) in the organic treatment resulted in higher yield. Chattoo et al. (1997) carried out an experiment in Knol-khol cv. Early White Vienna to study the effect of biofertilizers and nitrogen levels on growth, yield and quality. The bacterial inoculants were used as seed inoculants (500 g/ha), seedling treatment (2kg/ha) and soil inoculants (2.5kg/ha). They observed that bacterial inoculants responded at all the levels of chemical nitrogen with an increase in leaf number/plant, weight/plant, yield/plant and dry matter content as compared to corresponding control. Among the biofertilizers, Azosprillium proved better than Azotobacter. Verma et al. (1997) conducted a field experiment at Kartain, Kullu valley to determine the effect of biofertilizers on vegetable and seed yield of cabbage cv. Golden Acre. The trial consisted of four doses of nitrogen viz., 0, 50, 75 and 100% of the recommended dose (120kg N /ha) and three cultures viz., no application, Azotobacter and Azospirillum applied separately. The cultures were applied at three stages viz., seed treatment before sowing for 30 minutes, seedling treatment for 20 minutes by root 1kg/10lit of water and soil 5 kg/ha. Results revealed that the combination of 60kg N/ha with Azotobacter was superior to other treatments for vegetable and seed yield of cabbage.

4 Bambal et al. (1998) studied the effect of biofertilizers (as a seedling dip) and nitrogen on growth and yield of cauliflower cv. Snowball-16. The different treatments compared two biofertilizers viz., Azospirillum and Azotobacter alone as well as in combination and three nitrogen rates viz., 100, 75 and 50% of the recommended dose. Azotobacter + Azosprillium + 100% nitrogen resulted in the highest chlorophyll content (1.48mg/g), leaf area (643.58cm 2 /plant) and yield (29.64t/ha) and earlier curd maturity as compared to the other treatments. Sharma (2000) conducted an experiment at Lari (Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh, India) on influence of integrated nutrient management in sprouting broccoli cultivar Green Head and revealed that integration of organic and inorganic fertilizers significantly increased the head yield over inorganic fertilizers alone and also over control. The treatment 175:75:60 NPK alongwith 12.5t/ha farmyard manure recorded the maximum yield (63.12q/ha) which was at par with 150:75:60 NPK alongwith 12.5t/ha farmyard manure (yield 57.59q/ha), but significantly superior over rest of the treatments in terms of yield and net profit. Parmar and Sharma (2001) studied the effect of organic manures with four levels of nitrogen in cauliflower under mid-hills of western Himalayas at Bajaura (Kullu). It was concluded that application of 100% recommended NPK alongwith 30t/ha farmyard manure was most suitable treatment combination for cauliflower which could generate net income of Rs.62, 800 per hectare. Bhagavantagoudra and Rokhade (2001) conducted a field experiment to determine the effect of Azospirillum and nitrogen on growth and yield of cabbage cv. Pride of India. It was found that application of Azospirillum through soil and seedling dip recorded highest yield (41.61t/ha), which was 33.67% more than that obtained without application of Azospirillum. The plant spread (46.22cm), plant height (26.54cm), number of outer leaves(22.70), days to maturity of head (79.23), diameter of head (13.33cm) and weight of head ( g) were also the highest with the above treatment. They further reported that the application of Azsospirillum through soil+ seedling dip alongwith 100% recommended dose of

5 nitrogen recorded the highest benefit cost ratio (4:29) and net returns (Rs. 1,38,923 per hectare). Among the methods, Azospirillum application through soil application + seedling dip was the best. Kanwar et al. (2002) reported significant increase in curd weight, curd diameter, plant height and curd yield of cauliflower with application of 50% NPK + organic manure Sharma (2002) reported the effect of biofertilizers and nitrogen on growth and yield of cabbage cv. Pride of India. The biofertilizers were applied as seed treatment (0.5kg/ha), seedling treatment (1kg/ha) and soil application (5kg/ha). Biofertilizer application significantly increased the leaf number, weight of nonwrapper leaves per plant, head length and width, gross and net weight of head per plant and yield per hectare over no biofertilizer application. However, maximum values were obtained with Azospirillum application. A treatment combination of Azospirillum application with 60kg N/ha resulted in maximum yield per hectare with benefit cost ratio of 2.9. Kumar and Sharma (2004) studied the influence of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield parameters of cabbage and tomato under midhill conditions of Himachal Pradesh and concluded that farmyard 10t/ha + recorded highest values for growth, yield and available nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium). Bahadur et al. (2004) carried out a field trial to study the effect of biofertilizers and organic manures on cabbage. The treatments comprised of four different organic manures in combination with biofertilizers viz., Azospirillum, phosphate solubilizing micro-organisms (both as seedlings dip) and VAM (soil inoculation near the seedlings root). The mean data of two years revealed that treatments Pressmud + VAM and Pressmud + phosphate solubilizing microorganisms gave superior results with respect to yield parameters.

6 Sharma et al. (2008) studied the influence of integrated nutrient management using organic manure and Azotobacter alongwith synthetic fertilizers in broccoli at Lahaul and Spiti, India and concluded that integration of Azotobacter with recommended practice (100%NPK+20t/ha of cow manure) produced the highest marketable head yield over the recommended practice (100%NPK+20t/ha of cow manure). Moreover, this treatment combination resulted in maximum leaf width, apical and lateral curd weight alongwith total yield per plant in both the years with maximum net returns with a benefit cost ratio of Sharma et al. (2009) reported that application of recommended dose of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in combination with Azotobacter and Phosphorous Solubilizing Bacteria in cauliflower registered higher marketable curd yield (9%) over the recommended dose of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium alongwith maximum net returns and benefit cost ratio of Quality parameters Mahendran and Kumar (1997) studied the effect of varying levels of NPK with or without biofertilizers and organic manures on cabbage cv. Hero. Biofertilizers (viz., Azospirillum and Phosphobacterium) were applied after 15 days of 2kg/ha, organic sources (viz., digested organic supplement and vermicompost) applied as basal dressing and two levels of NPK (viz., 75 and 100% of recommended dose of NPK). Results revealed that the maximum TSS and ascorbic acid contents were noted with the application of 75% recommended dose of NPK + Azospirillium + Phosphobacterium + digested organic supplement + 2.5t/ha each. Singh et al. (2001) reported that for sustainable vegetable (cabbage, brinjal etc.,) production the treatment farmyard manure + dense organic manure gave yield at par with conventional methods and plant products also had higher protein content and better shelf life.

7 Bahadur et al. (2003) in a study on integrated use of farmyard manure, digested sludge, biofertilizers and VAM found that application of farmyard manure (10t/ha)+digested sludge (10t/ha) and seed inoculation with biofertilizer and VAM significantly improved the growth (weight of leaves, stem diameter) as well as yield (fresh and dry head weight) of the broccoli cultivar NS-50.The study concluded that a judicious combination strategy of using organic manure and biofertilizers may be helpful in increasing the vegetable productivity as well as quality, Therefore, use of organic nitrogen can have profound influence on the yield and post harvest quality as well as nutritive value of vegetables. Chaterjee et al. (2005) studied the effect of organic nutrition in sprouting broccoli var.green Country. They tried different treatments of biofertilizers viz., Azotobacter, Phosphate Solubilizers, Potashmobilizers and Vesicular- Arbuscular- Mycorrhizae. The study revealed that the organic sources of nutrition produced significantly better quality of curd parameters than inorganic sources. Among all the treatment combinations, the treatment mustard oil cake + biofertilizer II (Azotobacter + Vesicular Arbuscular - Mycorrhizae + Potashmobilizer) produced curds having significantly highest chlorophyll (32.80mg/100gm edible portion), ascorbic acid (80.30mg/100gm edible portion) and reducing sugar (2.20%) Available nutrients and their uptake Kalyani et al. (1992) conducted investigations to study the interaction of Azospirillum and nitrogen-fixers in cauliflower cv. Jawahar Moti and revealed that soil inoculation of Azotobacter improved growth and nutrient uptake and saved up to 50% of the recommended nitrogen. Shalini et al. (2002a) conducted a field experiment to study the effect of integrated nitrogen management on yield of knol-khol and population of Azospirillum in vertiisols (black clayey soils). The treatments consisted of two levels of nitrogen (50 and 75 % of the recommended dose of nitrogen) combined with organic manures (farmyard manure + vermicompost) with and without

8 Azospirillium. The 50% nitrogen (inorganic) + 50% vermicompost + Azospirillium showed the maximum growth in terms of increased growth attributes like plant height, number of leaves and dry matter production. Available soil nitrogen was significantly higher in plots receiving organic manures and Azospirillum biofertilizers than those in inorganic fertilized plots. Shalini et al. (2002b) studied the effect of integrated nitrogen management on yield, nutrient uptake in knol-khol and nutrient availability in soil. Application of 50 % nitrogen (Urea) + 50 % nitrogen (vermicompost) + Azospirillum resulted in maximum yield (37t/ha), more uptake of nutrients by knol-khol and higher availability of nutrients in soil. Wange and Kale (2004) studied the effect of microbial inoculants with graded levels of inorganic nitrogen on broccoli. The treatments tried for the growth and yield response included biofertilizers viz., Azotobacter and Azosiprillum both as root dip of broccoli seedlings before transplanting and nitrogen levels viz.,100kg/ha,125kg/ha and 150kg/ha in a medium black soil of Maharashtra, India. The treatment of Azotobacter + Azospirillum with 150 kg N/ha was superior over the recommended fertilizer rate alone. The results indicated that these crops responded better to biofertilizers at higher rate of nitrogen, suggesting more nitrogen requirements of broccoli. Narayanamma et al. (2005) studied the response of integrated nutrient management in cauliflower. The results indicated that application of biofertilizer (Azotobaceter,Azospirillum, Phosphate Solublizing Bacteria and Vesicular- Arbuscular-Mycorrhizae) alongwith inorganic fertilizer produced significantly higher yield (18.6t to 22.6t/ha) compared to application of recommended dose of fertilizers (6.5 t/ha). Application of Vesicular-Arbuscular-Mycorrhizae at either 75% or 100% level of P + 100%NK, Azospirillum and Azotobacter with 100% NPK and 75% N + 100% PK recorded significantly higher vitamin C content (59.9 to 60.5 mg/100g edible portion) compared to recommended dose of fertilizers and other treatments (54.5 to 55.4mg/100g). The use of biofertilizers also enhanced the nutrient status of available nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in soil. Hence, 25% of nitrogen and phosphorous can be saved with the use of biofertilizers (N and P sources) respectively to achieve higher benefit cost ratio.

9 Sharma et al. (2008) conducted investigation to study the response of broccoli to integrated nutrient management using organic manure and Azotobacter alongwith the synthetic fertilizers and concluded that an application of 100%NPK+Azotobacter+20t/ha cow manure resulted in the highest increase in the contents of organic carbon and available nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium by 36, 32 and 19%, respectively, over their initial status in the soil. About 31, 8.4 and 12.5 kg/ha of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, respectively can be saved in broccoli production if cow manure at 20t/ha and Azotobacter are used in combination with synthetic fertilizers. Sharma et al. (2009) conducted an experiment to study the influence of biofertilizers alone or in combination with chemical fertilizers in cauliflower nutrient uptake and residual soil fertility and concluded that the highest nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium uptake was recorded with combined inoculation of Azotobacter and Phosphorous Solubilizing Bacteria. The maximum soil fertility build up was observed in treatment combination of bio-inoculants integrated with recommended dose of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, which was to the tune of about and Kg NPK/ha over the initial soil status. 2.2 Brinjal and other solanaceous crops Growth, yield and yield contributing parameters Lehri and Mehrotra (1972) isolated four strains of Azotobacter chroococcum from different soils of Uttar Pradesh. The roots of brinjal seedlings were dipped in bacterial suspensions and planted in plots which had received three levels of NPK + farmyard manure viz., 20:10: q/ha, 80:40: q/ha and 150:70: q/ha, respectively. Brinjal responded well to all strains of bacterial inoculation at lower levels of fertility, the yield response was about 56 to 62% increase at low fertility levels. Bashan et al. (1989) studied the non-specific response in plant growth, yield and root colonization of non-cereal crop plants viz., brinjal to inoculate with Azospirillum brasilense. The root population size of Azospirillum brasilense was

10 5x10 5 cfu /g fresh weight of root. It was found that inoculation by Azospirillum brasilense resulted in an increase of tomato (30%) and brinjal (18%) yield as well as changes in several other growth parameters. The inoculated plants produced higher yield over uninoculated ones. Deka et al. (1996) studied the effect of Azospirillum and chemical fertilizers on growth and yield of chilli cv. Pusa Jwala and revealed that the treatment 70kg N/ha + Azospirillum gave more number of branches per plant (13.2), highest average yield (136.9q/ha) than control and 70kg N/ha alone. The comparative economics of different treatments revealed that the treatment was the most profitable which earned a net profit of Rs. 59,335/ha with a benefit cost ratio of 6:1 as against 4.8:1 in 70 kg N/ha alone. Kumar and Veeragavathatham (1999) conducted a field experiment to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on yield and yield attributes of brinjal variety Palur-1 in Tamil-Nadu, India. The treatments consisted of two rates of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus (75 and 100 % of recommended dose), two biofertilizers viz., Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria (inoculated and uninoculated), farmyard manure (recommended rate and no farmyard manure) and their combinations including the recommended rate of inorganic NPK (control). The results clearly indicated that a treatment combination of organic manure through 12.5t/ha of farmyard manure, 2kg each of Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria and 75% of the recommended dose of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorous (75kg nitrogen, 37.5kg phosphorous and 30kg potassium per hectare) was found to be the most appropriate. Renuka and Sankar (2001) studied the effect of organic manures on growth and yield of tomato and observed vigorous growth, early flowering and high yields (47.66t) with the application of farmyard manure + biogas slurry and registered an increased yield of two and half times over the control - NPK inorganic fertilizer application. Thus, results inferred that tomato crop responded to application of organic manures in combination with farmyard manure. Similarly, SubbaRao and RaviSankar (2001) studied the influence of organic

11 manures viz., vermicompost, neemcake and biofertilizers (Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria) on growth and yield of brinjal and reported that brinjal crop responded well to application of organic manures either alone or in combination with farmyard manure besides improving the soil status. Anburani and Manivannan (2002) studied the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth in brinjal variety Annamalai and the results revealed that farmyard manure + pressmud at 12.5t/ha each alongwith 100% NPK + biofertilizers recorded the highest values for plant height (108.90cm), number of primary branches (11.66) and number of leaves (94.05) whereas, farmyard manure at 10t/ha alongwith 100% NPK + biofertilizers recorded the highest values for stem girth (3.71cm), number of secondary branches (15.58) and leaf area (68.62 cm 2 ). These treatments also took the minimum number of days to first flowering and days to 50% flowering. However, farmyard manure at 25t/ha alongwith 100% NPK + biofertilizers recorded the highest fruit set percentage (65%), number of fruits (26.64) and fruit yield per hectare (31.67 tonnes ). Devi et al. (2002) conducted a field experiment to study the response of brinjal to different sources of nitrogen at different levels, biofertilizers, neemcake and poultry manure as supplement to nitrogen.they recorded maximum values with respect to fruit girth, fruit weight, number of fruits per plant and fruit yield with 50% nitrogen + 25% poultry manure + biofertilizers. Naidu et al. (2002) conducted trial in Madhya Pradesh on the effects of NPK fertilizers in combination with organic manures and biofertilizers on growth and yield of brinjal variety JB-64. The study revealed that plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of branches per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, number of fruits per plant and fruit yield were significantly more in treatment NPK 100:60:50 kg/ha + farmyard manure (@ 25t/ha). Gajbhiye et al. (2003) studied the effect of biofertilizers on growth and yield parameters of tomato and recommended that biofertilizers in combination with chemical fertilizers B 1 N 1 (Azotobacter with 150kg N + 60kg P + 60kg K per

12 hectare) was found to be the best treatment and significantly influenced plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of fruits per plant, weight of fruits per plant and fruit size. Anburani et al. (2003) studied the effects of integrated nutrient management on yield and yield parameters in brinjal and concluded that the application of 25t FYM/ha + 100:50:50kg NPK/ha + biofertilizers produced significantly more number of fruits (26.64), higher fruit length (54.11cm), and more fruit yield (1.43 kg/plant). Singh (2004) studied the influence of organic farming system on yield and quality of brinjal variety Pusa Purple Cluster under mid-hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh and obtained maximum yield (132.96q/ha) with farmyard manure + dense organic manure, which was statistically at par with recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer treatment. Wange and Kale (2004) studied the effect of biofertilizers and nitrogen levels on brinjal in Maharashtra, India, to explore the possibility of reducing the rate of nitrogen fertilizer. The results revealed significant improvement in vegetative characters such as plant height, number of leaves, shoot dry weight and recorded significantly more (74%) yield of brinjal over the recommended dose of nitrogen fertilizer due to inoculation with mixture of Azotobacter + Azospirillum + 75kg nitrogen per hectare. The results further revealed that reducing nitrogen rate to 50kg while using these biofertilizers did not help in achieving yields at par with recommended 100kg nitrogen per hectare. Thus, only 25% nitrogen saving through the use of biofertilizers can be achieved with increase in yield over recommended 100kg nitrogen per hectare. Alfonso et al. (2005) evaluated the agro-biological effectiveness of beneficial microorganisms on tomato growth, development and yield. The predominating microbial genus in the crop rhizosphere was thus selected and the effect of inoculating it was then evaluated. Results revealed that Pseudomonas, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus and Streptomyces belonged to the microbial population of the tomato rhizosphere under the studied conditions, Azospirillum

13 being the most prominent genus. Artificial inoculation of this rhizobacteria caused a positive effect on seedling growth as well as on plant nutritional stage, yields being higher (11%) as compared to control. A higher microbial population level was recorded in the rhizosphere of the inoculated plants. Bhadauria et al. (2005) observed the effects of three methods of Azotobacter culture inoculation (without inoculation, soil inoculation and seedling treatment) and five levels of nitrogen (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 kg/ha) on growth, yield and economics of tomato in Madhya Pradesh, India. The results revealed that application of 75kg N/ha alongwith seedling inoculation with Azotobacter culture recorded the maximum plant height (52.43 cm), number of branches (13.50) and number of fruits per plant (23.84). However, it was at par with the application of 100kg N/ha alongwith Azotobacter culture. The highest benefit cost ratio (2.08) was observed with the application of 75kg N/ha alongwith seedling inoculation with Azotobacter culture. Singh and Asrey (2005) obtained maximum yield of tomato hybrid cultivar Rupali by application of 100% of recommended NPK + 25 tonnes of farmyard manure per hectare, followed by 75% of recommended NPK and 25 tonnes of farmyard manure per hectare. Rabindra and Srivastava (2006) carried out field experiment for three years with tomato cultivar Pant T-3 to study the residual effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and yield attributes. They reported that the residual effect of integrated nutrient management treatments significantly improved the fruit yield in both the years. The highest yield was registered with Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria + 75% phosphorous + full dose of nitrogen and potassium through fertilizers, which was closely followed by Azotobacter + 75% nitrogen and full dose of phosphorous and potassium through fertilizers. In second year, Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria + 75% phosphorous + full dose of nitrogen and potassium through fertilizers proved significantly superior to control. Kumar and Sharma (2007) conducted experiments at Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India, to evaluate the effects of biofertilizers (Azotobacter, Azospirillum and Pseudomonas), applied alone or in combination with 75 and 100% doses of

14 NPK (100, 75 and 55 kg/ha) and full dose of farmyard manure (25t/ha) on the growth and yield of tomato. It was observed that application of Azotobacter in combination with 75 and 100% NPK recorded the highest benefit cost ratio Quality parameters Kumarswamy and Madalageri (1990) concluded from their studies on tomato that Azotobacter in combination with 30Kg N/ha recorded a marketable yield of t/ha as compared to t/ha achieved by applying 60Kg N/ha alone. Further, Azotobacter treated plants produced fruits with high TSS (4.46%) and vitamin C (32.91 mg/100g of fruit). Sendur et al. (1998) conducted a field experiment to study the effect of organic manures (farmyard manure and vermicompost) and inorganic fertilizer on growth, yield and quality of tomato. The most pronounced expression of yield contributing characters such as plant height, number of branches per plant, mean fruit weight and number of fruits per plant was obtained in inorganic combination with biofertilizers (Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria). The quality parameters viz., TSS, ascorbic acid and lycopene were comparatively higher in the plants grown with organic manures plus biofertilizer. Kumar and Veeragavathatham (2001) studied the effect of organic manures and biofertilizers in combination with inorganic fertilizers on brinjal. The treatment included two levels of nitrogen and phosphorous i.e., 100 and 75% of recommended dose (100:50:30kg/ha); inoculation of two biofertilizers, namely Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria (Bacillus spp.), farmyard manure and their combinations alongwith recommended dose of NPK as control. The biofertilizers were mixed with farmyard manure at 10 times of their volume and incorporated into soil at 2kg/ha depending upon the treatments. The highest yield of t/ha was recorded in the plots treated with 100% NPK + FYM + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria, followed by 36.48t/ha with 75:75:100 NPK +FYM + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria. The maximum ascorbic acid, carbohydrate and crude protein contents were recorded in 100% NPK + FYM + Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria treatment.

15 Gaikwad and Wani (2001) conducted a field experiment to study the response of brinjal variety Krishna to Phosphate Solubilizing Biofertilizers at Rahuri, Maharashtra. They concluded from their study that inoculation with Phosphate Solubilizing Micro-orgnisms resulted in significant increase in plant dry matter, nitrogen and phosphorous uptake and yield of brinjal over uninoculated control. Kamili et al. (2002) assessed the effect of microbial inoculants on growth, yield and quality of brinjal in combination with chemical fertilizers. It was noticed that Azotobacter and Azospirillum in combination with 75% nitrogen recorded higher dry matter and fruit yield (176.80q/ha). However, it was at par (174.40q/ha) at recommended level without inoculation, with both the inoculants alongwith 75% nitrogen. Similarly, 75% nitrogen in combination with Azotobacter and Azospirillum gave higher values (28.66 and mg/100g of vitamin C), respectively as compared to recommended level of nitrogen (28.28 mg/100g of vitamin C) without inoculation. It was concluded that both inoculants in combination with 75% level of nitrogen performed better and results were at par with 100% level of nitrogen without inoculation. This indicates that 25% of chemical nitrogen can be saved without affecting the yield. Singh (2004) in a study on organic farming of brinjal under mild hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh revealed that quality traits of brinjal viz., vitamin C, protein and shelf life were higher with organic manure treatments than the recommended inorganic fertilizer treatment. Bhadauria et al. (2005) in a study conducted in Madhya Pradesh, India to evaluate the effect of Azotobacter inoculation (soil 5kg/ha and seedling 2kg/ha) and nitrogen levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100kg/ha) in tomato variety JT-99. They observed that seedling inoculation produced maximum fresh weight, dry weight, ascorbic acid and total soluble solids, and minimum fruit cracking, compared to soil inoculation and the control. Results revealed that maximum fresh weight and ascorbic acid were obtained with nitrogen at 75 kg/ha + Azotobacter as seedling inoculant, while maximum total soluble solids and dry matter per fruit were

16 obtained with nitrogen at 100kg/ha + seedling inoculation. Similarly, Kadlag et al. (2007) studied the influence of biofertilizers on yield and quality of tomato fruits. They concluded that the combined use of recommended dose and biofertilizers are beneficial for nutrient uptake of tomato. Fruit quality of tomato was improved by recommended dose + Azospirillum and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria. Shoukat et al. (2008) studied the combined application of Blue-Green- Algae inoculant (a potential biofertilizer for rice) and inorganic nitrogen on brinjal and found that combination of 25 mg Blue-Green-Algae inoculants and recommended dose of inorganic nitrogen exhibited maximum plant height, yield and ascorbic acid content (30.50mg/100g). Available nutrients and their uptake Shanshousy et al. (1989) studied the synergistic effect of Vesicular- Arbuscular-Mycorrhizae and Azotobacter and available nitrogen and phosphorous in tomato and revealed that Azotobacter chroococcum increased plant growth and resulted in increased shoot nitrogen, calcium, magnesium and potassium compared to other treatments. Subbiah (1990) in a study on tomato at Coimbatore concluded that Azospirillum inoculation in tomato not only saved 30% of recommended dose of fertilizer, but also improved nitrogen use efficiency.further, Subbiah (1994) conducted a field trial to determine the effect of nitrogen, phosphorous and biofertilizers (Azospirillum brasilense and VAM-Glomus faciculatum) on yield and nutrient uptake in chilli (cv. CO. 1). Application of biofertilizers + 75% as well as 100% of the recommended doses of nitrogen and phosphorous registered higher yield of chilli fruits than 100% recommended dose of nitrogen and phosphorous. Application of biofertilizer alone recorded highest nitrogen content in chilli fruits (4.83%) while, the phosphorus content was the highest due to the combined application of 100% recommended dose of nitrogen and phosphorous + biofertilizers. The study revealed that application of biofertilizers had beneficial effect on yield and nutrient uptake in chilli.

17 Begnum (1998) studied the response of Azotobacter in tomato and revealed that Azotobacter inoculation as seed treatment resulted in increased growth compared to seedling dip treatment. The effect was more pronounced when supplied with basal dose of nitrogen. The maximum net profit (Rs. 60,382/ha) was obtained with Azotobacter seed treatment and 75% nitrogen. 150kg nitrogen per hectare as inorganic fertilizer with Azotobacter produced 7% more yield than 200kg nitrogen per hectare, resulting in saving of 50kg nitrogen per hectare. Kumar and Veeragavathatham (2003) studied the effect of integrated nutrient management on the nutrient content of brinjal variety Palur-1. They found that nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium contents were highest in the treatments involving organic manure + inorganic fertilizers + biofertilizers Similarly, Singh et al. (2004) in a study on integrated nutrient management in tomato observed that there was a significant increase in nitrogen, phosphorous as well as potassium uptake by application of integrated nutrient supply. The study revealed that higher yield can be obtained by substitution of inorganic fertilizers with organic manures, biofertilizers and crop residue to some extent. Choudhary et al. (2005) studied the effects of integrated use of organic manure, biofertilizers and chemical fertilizers on nutrient status of soil and yield of brinjal. Soil available nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium increased significantly with the application of various organic and microbial sources of nutrients in combination with fertilizers over control. The highest values for plant growth parameter and yield were recorded with Azotobacter, Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria and farmyard manure alongwith inorganic fertilizers. The combined use of organic manure, biofertilizers and inorganic fertilizers sustained the productivity. The organic carbon and available nitrogen status were increased significantly with conjunctive use of inorganic fertilizers, biofertilizers and farm yard manure.

18 Dass et al. (2008) conducted an experiment with seven treatments including chemical fertilizers, vermicompost (VC), cow manure (CM), and microbial inoculants (Azotobacter and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria) for three consecutive years (2001 to 2003), at Koraput, India to determine the most effective integrated nutrient management for production, economics, and soil improvement in cabbage and bell pepper. They reported that bulk density of the surface soil after three years was reduced; its organic carbon and available nitrogen and phosphorous status improved due to treatment with cowdung manure and vermicompost. The data indicated that application of 5t/ha of vermicompost can meet 50% of the fertilizer requirement of both crops while ensuring higher productivity, income, and residual soil fertility.