Integrated Nitrogen Fertilization Using Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria, Farmyard Manure and Panchagavya Formulation Improves Soil Health, Crop Quality, and Yield of Fodder Maize

Abstract

Organic farming often relies on slow‐releasing nitrogen sources like farmyard manure (FYM), which frequently fail to meet the rapid nitrogen demands of nutrient‐exhaustive crops such as fodder maize. This nitrogen deficiency results in reduced growth, lower biomass, and diminished forage quality, ultimately affecting livestock nutrition and farm productivity. We hypothesized that integrating FYM with plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and a 3% foliar spray of panchagavya could enhance soil health, nutrient availability, and energy fractions, thereby improving the yield and quality of fodder maize under biofarming conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of this integrated nutrient management approach (treatment T7) on soil properties, microbial activity, energy content, and fodder maize yield over a three‐year period (2018–2020). Key findings revealed that treatment T7 (100% recommended dose of nitrogen through FYM + PGPR +3% foliar spray of panchagavya) significantly improved soil organic carbon (5%–15%), soil organic matter (4.85%–14.56%), available nutrients (1.75%–18.84%), microbial populations (65.4%–137.65%), and enzymatic activities (56.6%–167.6%) compared to the control treatment (T1) using recommended chemical fertilizers. Although T7 resulted in a modest reduction in green fodder (8%–12%) and dry fodder yield (9%–13%) relative to chemical fertilizers, the ecological benefits—including enhanced soil health, nutrient cycling, and microbial activity—justify this trade‐off. These results recommend T7 as a viable strategy for organic fodder production, promoting long‐term soil sustainability while balancing yield and ecological benefits under biofarming systems.