Indigenous plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial consortia greatly reduces fertilizer need for tea nurseries: Characterization and evaluation

A study was conducted to characterize plant growthpromoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) of tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] and investigate the potential using them enhance growth nutrient uptake plants, also reduce use chemical fertilizers in nurseries mid-country Sri Lanka. Nitrogenfixing Azospirillum sp. (AZO) phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) isolated from rhizosphere grown three main soil series i.e. Kandy, Matale Ukuwela Lanka, were screened an vitro study. Soil specific dual inoculants formulated most effective strains N2 fixer PSB obtained each series, they tested having respective series. In addition, a common consortium across all Dual along with modified T 65 fertilizer mixture composed ½ N P replaced Eppawala Rock Phosphate (ERP) place Di Ammonium (DAP) recommended compared two non-inoculated controls; fertilizer, ten replicates. Plant measurements taken uptakes measured. Application series-specific nursery plants raised belonging improved dry matter contents (12.86 g/plant) total (786 mg/plant 155 mg/plant, respectively) that treatment (dry contents; 13.24 g/plant, uptake; 727 166 mg/plant). Results indicated 50% reduction replacement imported DAP locally available ERP present recommendation for (i.e. 65) is possible application strains.