Connotation of Enterobacter cloacae-W6 and Serratia ficaria-W10 with or without carriers for improving growth, yield and nutrition of wheat

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to compare the influence of Enterobacter cloacae-W6 and Serratia ficaria-W10 (exopolysaccharides and auxin producing, phosphate solubilizing and abundantly root colonizing bacteria) inoculation either alone or in combination with or without carriers (peat, biogas slurry, press mud) on the growth, yield and nutrient concentration of wheat in semi-arid region of Multan. The experiment was arranged in completely randomized design with three replications. Results demonstrated significantly higher plant height, root/ spike length, shoot/ root dry weight, number of tillers/ spikelets/ grains, 1000 grain weight, grain/ straw/ biological yield, nitrogen/ phosphorus/ potassium concentrations of shoot and grain due to inoculation with W6 or W10 alone or in combination as compared to no inoculation. Carriers significantly lowered the spike length, root dry weight, grain number, biological/ grain/ straw yield, nitrogen/ phosphorus/ potassium concentration in shoot and nitrogen concentration in grains as compared to no carrier (seeds soaked for 1 h). However, peat was statistically at par with no carrier for plant height, root length, shoot dry weight, number of tillers/spikelets, 1000 grain weight, grain phosphorus and potassium concentrations. Combined (W6×W10) inoculation remained most prominent followed by W6 and W10, respectively. Similarly, inoculation without carrier (soaking) remained most efficient from carriers followed by peat as a carrier. Biogas slurry and press mud remained statistically at par with each other but lower than no carrier and peat in all parameters. Keeping in view the results, it can be inferred that combined inoculation without carrier (soaking) is most beneficial but peat can be recommended as best carrier from biogas slurry and press mud.