Potential Role of Organic Matters and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) on the Growth and Productivity of Fenugreek

A field experiment was conducted during 2009-2011 at the Aligarh Muslim University Agricultural Research Farm, India, to evaluate the efficacious nature of some oil-seed cakes such as neem cake and castor cake, a botanical Calotropis procera and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) Pseudomonas fluorescens singly and in various combinations, on the growth and productivity of Trigonella plant. Growth parameters included fresh and dry weight, pollen fertility (%), pods plant-1, root-nodule index, nitrate reductase activity, and chlorophyll content. Productivity was calculated in terms of N, P, and K in plant as well as in soil. Although all the parameters were significantly increased in these treatments, single application was comparatively less effective than the combined applications. Among oil-seed cakes, neem cake was found better in promoting plant growth than castor cake, followed by C. procera and PSB. Root-nodulation also showed a considerable increase in combined treatments. Maximum growth and productivity were observed in the combined inoculation of neem cake, castor cake, C. procera and PSB, as compared to other treatments including inorganic fertilizers and untreated one.