Effect of Mixed Bioinocula on Growth and Efficiency of Azotobacter Species

Area around the root zone i.e. rhizosphere is a rich environment for plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPR) which can be utilized in many way to improve the growth of crop and yield. In agriculture one of the limiting factors is providing plant nutrition particularly nitrogen and phosphorus to the crop. Different Plant-Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) such as Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Clostridium and Pseudomonas has been used for their beneficial effects (Ozturk et al., 2003). Studies showed a positive effect of PGPR on growth of different crops in different climates and soils (Salantur et al., 2006). Improvement of crop yields by inoculation of diazotrophs like Azotobacter and Azosprillum has been suggested as the eco -friendly technology (Choudhury and Kennedy 2004). Non-legumes after inoculation with Azotobacter chroococcum increase the yield of field crops by about 10% and of cereals by about 15 % 20 % (Hussain et al., 1987). Azotobacter has the ability to proliferate and colonize the rhizosphere of farm crops most effectively (Brown et al., 1962; 1964). Being a sensitive bacterium its International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 10 (2017) pp. 1-13 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com