AM fungi and Azotobacter chroococcum affecting yield, nutrient uptake and cost efficacy of Chlorophytum borivillianum in Indian Arid Region

The yield, nutrient uptake and cost efficacy of Chlorophytum. borivillianum were studied using dual inoculation with AM fungi (Glomus fasciculatum) and Azotobacter chroococcum. The experiment was conducted for two consecutive years with two levels of chemical fertilizers as F1(N-P-K : 24-24-32 kg ha) and F2 (N-P-K : 30-30-40 kg ha). Inoculation of bioinoculants encouraged results; the fresh tuber weight (53.12qha), number of tubers bunch (13.19), tuber length (9.59cm) and tuber diameter (6.68mm) showed the highest with treatment T12 (F2 + both bioinoculants) followed by T9 (F1 + both bioinoculants), T11 (F2 + AM fungi) and F10 (F2 + A. chroococcum) as compared to T1 (control), T2-T4 (bioinoculants) and T5-T6 (F1 and F2 fertilizer levels). Growth parameters were non significant between F1 and F2 dose of chemical fertilizers when inoculated with dual microorganisms. The nitrogen uptake was increased in Azotobacter treated plants, while higher P and K uptake were attained in AM fungi inoculated plants. The survival count of inoculated bacteria improved gradually and the highest count was observed on 150 days of inoculation. Economic analysis revealed the net profit from tubers was the highest in T9 using dual inoculation of microorganisms with 80 % of recommended dosage of fertilizer followed by T12 and T11.