Combined Application of Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen and Seed Inoculation with Rhizobacteria (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia FA-9) Improved Productivity, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, and Economic Returns of Pearl Millet

Nitrogen (N) availability and soil microbiota exert significant impacts on plant metabolic systems yield. Different studies have indicated that yield nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.R.Br.) can be improved by the inoculation N-fixing bacteria. However, interactive effects different N sources bacteria growth, productivity, NUE been less explored. Therefore, individual (organic inorganic) were investigated in this study. Two sources, i.e., organic (farmyard manure) inorganic (urea) alone or 50% + combinations (urea FYM), used to supply recommended amount N. Similarly, seeds inoculated with two bacteria, endobacteria (Enterobacter sp. MN17) rhizobacteria (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia FA-9). Urea farmyard manure (FYM) seed attributes, yield-related traits, grain quality, NUE, net economic returns. Soil porosity was significantly both FYM application. increased carbon 45.45% 34.88% during 1st 2nd year study, respectively. application combined number grains per ear (23.49 23.63%), 1000-grain weight (5.76% 7.85%), (23.19% 25.0%), (33.83 48.15%). quality Likewise, urea 33.83% 48.15% 2020 2021, respectively, compared no inoculation. The highest returns (1506.4 1506.9 USD) noted for (S. FA-9) seemed a viable approach improve yield, millet.