Browsing by Author "B.R. Maurya"

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Can bacillus species enhance nutrient availability in agricultural soils?
(Springer International Publishing, 2017) Vijay Singh Meena; B.R. Maurya; Sunita Kumari Meena; Rajesh Kumar Meena; Ashok Kumar; J.P. Verma; N.P. Singh
One major challenge for the twenty-first century will be the production of sufficient food for the global human population. The negative impacts on soil-plant- microbes-environmental sustainability due to injudicious use of chemical fertilizer, pesticide, insecticide, etc. by the unaware farmers deteriorate soil and environment quality. One possible way to use efficient soil microorganisms to remediate nutrient deficiency in agricultural soils and other plant growth-promoting (PGP) activities that can be of help for plant growth and development. The Bacillus species is one the most dominant rhizospheric bacterial/rhizobacteria species like Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, B. pumilus, B. megaterium, etc. that can help enhance the plant growth and development by different mechanisms, which PGPR can inhibit phytopathogens is the production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and/or fungal cell wall degrading enzymes, e.g., chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase. Direct plant growth promotion includes symbiotic and non-symbiotic PGPR which function through production of plant hormones such as auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, ethylene, and abscisic acid. Mitigate the challenge by adopting eco-friendly crop production practices. Some Bacillus species function as a sink for 1-aminocyclopropane- 1-carboxylate (ACC), the immediate precursor of ethylene in higher plants, by hydrolyzing it into a-ketobutyrate and ammonia and in this way promote root growth by lowering indigenous ethylene levels in the micro-rhizo environment. Bacillus species also help in solubilization of mineral phosphates, potassium, zinc, and other nutrients; rhizobacteria retain more soil organic N and other nutrients in the soil-plant system, thus reducing the need for fertilizers and enhancing release of the nutrients from indigenous or mineral sources, enhancing the economic and environmental sustainability. © Springer International Publishing AG 2016.
Co-inoculation with Enterobacter and Rhizobacteria on Yield and Nutrient Uptake by Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Alluvial Soil Under Indo-Gangetic Plain of India
(Springer New York LLC, 2017) Ashok Kumar; B.R. Maurya; R. Raghuwanshi; Vijay Singh Meena; M. Tofazzal Islam
The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of co-inoculation with phosphate-solubilizing and nitrogen-fixing rhizobacteria on growth promotion, yield, and nutrient uptake by wheat. Out of twenty-five bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere soils of cereal, vegetable, and agro-forestry plants in eastern Uttar Pradesh, three superior most plant growth-promoting (PGP) isolates were characterized as Serratia marcescens, Microbacterium arborescens, and Enterobacter sp. based on their biochemical and 16S rDNA gene sequencing data and selected them for evaluating their PGP effects on growth and yield of wheat. Among them, Enterobacter sp. and M. arborescens fixed significantly higher amounts (9.32 ± 0.57 and 8.89 ± 0.58 mg Ng−1 carbon oxidized, respectively) of atmospheric nitrogen and produced higher amounts (27.06 ± 1.70 and 26.82 ± 1.63 TP 100 µg mL−1, respectively) of IAA in vitro compared to S. marcescens (8.32 ± 0.39 mg Ng−1 carbon oxidized and 21.29 ± 0.99 TP 100 µg mL−1). Although both M. arborescens and S. marcescens solubilized remarkable amounts of phosphate from tricalcium phosphate likely through production of organic acids, however, Enterobacter sp. was inactive. The effects of these three rhizobacteria were evaluated on wheat in alluvial soils of the Indo-Gangetic Plain by inoculation of plants with bacterial isolates either alone or in combinations in both pot and field conditions for two successive years. Rhizobacterial inoculation either alone or in consortium of varying combinations significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased growth and yield of wheat compared to mock inoculated controls. A consortium of two or three rhizobacterial isolates also significantly increased plant height, straw yield, grain yield, and test weight of wheat in both pot and field trials compared to single application of any of these isolates. Among the rhizobacterial treatment, co-inoculation of three rhizobacteria (Enterobacter, M. arborescens and S. marcescens) performed best in promotion of growth, yield, and nutrient (N, P, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe) uptake by wheat. Taken together, our results suggest that co-inoculation of Enterobacter with S. marcescens and M. arborescens could be used for preparation of an effective formulation of PGP consortium for eco-friendly and sustainable production of wheat. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media New York.
Diversity of Azotobacter and Azospirillum in rhizosphere of different crop rotations in eastern Uttar Pradesh of India
(2012) B.R. Maurya; Ashok Kumar; Richa Raghuwanshi; Vimal Singh
Azotobacter and Azospirillum are known as non symbiotic free living nitrogen fixing biofertilizer microorganisms which actively participate in nutrients cycles. In eastern Uttar Pradesh of India, there is a great diversity in various cropping systems that may possess variation in these important biofertilizer microorganisms. The present study was conducted in order to chalk out the diversity of Azotobacter and Azospirillum sp. in different districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh in India with respect to the prevailing cropping system. Sixty two soil samples were collected from different crop rotations namely rice-wheat, vegetables, agroforestry and grassland for enumerating the diversity of Azotobacter and Azospirillum. The result showed that the Azotobacter population in rice-wheat, vegetables, agroforestry and grassland based crop rotations varied from 10×105 -13×105, 12×105-16.5×105, 9×105-15.5×105 and 7×105-10.5×105 CFU g-1 soil, respectively. Population of Azospirillum in rice-wheat, vegetables, agroforestry and grassland based crop rotations varied from 5.5×105-10.5×105, 6.5×105-12×105, 5×105-13×105 and 4.5×105-10×105 CFU g-1 soil, respectively. The diversity in population density of Azotobacter was maximum in soil of agroforestry followed by vegetables, grassland and lowest in rice-wheat based crop rotations, while in case of Azospirillum diversity was maximum in agroforestry and the lowest was observed in the rice-wheat but similar diversity present in vegetables and grassland crop rotations soil of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Overall maximum diversity of both the biofertilizer micro-organisms occurred in agroforestry based crop rotation. © 2012 Academic Journals Inc.
Does a plant growth promoting rhizobacteria enhance agricultural sustainability?
(Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 2015) Ashok Kumar; I. Bahadur; B.R. Maurya; R. Raghuwanshi; V.S. Meena; D.K. Singh; J. Dixit
Rhizosphere soil has large diversity of microbial community, including. microorganisms which caused plant growth promoting activity. The plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) colonize roots, increased root branching, root number and enhanced growth through direct and indirect mechanisms. PGPR modified root architecture by production of phytohormones, siderophores, HCN, Nitrogen fixation and Phosphate solubilization mechanisms. PGPR also modify root functioning, improve plant nutrition and influence the physiology of the whole plant. N-fixers and P-soIubilizers play key role in plant growth and yield of various crops. However the PGPR also play very crucial role to maintain the soil fertility and health. In this paper, we address the effect of PGPR on growth, yield and fertility status in rhizosphere soil. Synergetic interactions of combined inoculation of PGPR strains might be more effective for various crops growth and yield. PGPR along with integrated nutrient management may be more effective for growth, yield and fertility status under sustainable agriculture.
Does a rhizospheric microorganism enhance K+ availability in agricultural soils?
(Urban und Fischer Verlag Jena, 2014) Vijay Singh Meena; B.R. Maurya; Jay Prakash Verma
The potassium solubilizing microorganisms (KSMs) are a rhizospheric microorganism which solubilizes the insoluble potassium (K) to soluble forms of K for plant growth and yield. K-solubilization is carried out by a large number of saprophytic bacteria (Bacillus mucilaginosus, Bacillus edaphicus, Bacillus circulans, Acidothiobacillus ferrooxidans, Paenibacillus spp.) and fungal strains (Aspergillus spp. and Aspergillus terreus). Major amounts of K containing minerals (muscovite, orthoclase, biotite, feldspar, illite, mica) are present in the soil as a fixed form which is not directly taken up by the plant. Nowadays most of the farmers use injudicious application of chemical fertilizers for achieving maximum productivity. However, the KSMs are most important microorganisms for solubilizing of fixed form of K in soil system. The KSMs are an indigenous rhizospheric microorganism which shows effective interaction between soil and plant systems. The main mechanism of KSMs is acidolysis, chelation, exchange reactions, complexolysis and production of organic acid. According to literature, currently negligible use of potassium fertilizer as a chemical form has been recorded in agriculture for enhancing crop yield. Most of the farmers use only nitrogen and phosphorus and not use the K fertilizer due to unawareness so that the problem of K deficiency occurs in rhizospheric soils. The K fertilizer is also costly as compared to other chemical fertilizers. Therefore, the efficient KSMs should be applied for solubilization of a fixed form of K to an available form of K in the soils. This available K can be easily taken up by the plant for growth and development. Our aim of this review is to elaborate on the studies of indigenous K-solubilizing microbes to develop efficient microbial consortia for solubilization of K in soil which enhances the plant growth and yield of crops. This review highlights the future need for research on potassium (K) in agriculture. © 2013 Elsevier GmbH.
Effect of concentrate manure and different levels of nutrients on growth and yield of rice in Eastern Uttar Pradesh
(2013) Vijay Singh Meena; B.R. Maurya; R. Verma; M.D. Meena
This manuscript focuses on the effect of concentrate organic manure (wellgrow grain and wellgrow soil) and different levels of nutrients on growth and yield components of rice in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Significant improvement in terms of growth parameters like plant height, number of leaves per hill, dry matter accumulation and number of tillers per hill with application of 100% RDF+200 kg wellgrow grain/ha was at par with application of 100% RDF+300 kg wellgrow soil/ha (T8) and 100% RDF+300 kg wellgrow grain/ha (T 9). Treatment receiving 100% RDF+300 kg wellgrow grain/ha resulted in maximum effective tillers per hill (8.83), panicle length (21.50 cm), panicle weight (2.47 g), number of grains per panicle (115.20), grain yield (45.47 q/ha), test weight (30.40 g), harvest index (37.5%) and B: C ratio (1.29). Treatment (T8) maintained higher straw yield (79.9 q/ha) due to application of 100% RDF along with 300 kg wellgrow soil/ha, whereas it was at par with application of 75 and 100% RDF with both levels of wellgrow formulation.
Effect of concentrate manure and inorganic fertilizers on soil electro-chemical properties and productivity of rice {Oryza sativa L.) under inceptisol of Varanasi
(2013) Vijay Singh Meena; B.R. Maurya; R. Verma; S.K. Meena
A field experiment was conducted in kharif season of 2009 at Agricultural Research Farm, BHU, Varanasi. The aim of this work was to focus the effect of concentrated manure (wellgrow grain and wellgrow soil) and inorganic fertilizers on nutrient status and yield of submerged rice soil of Varanasi. Significant improvement in terms of nutrient availability like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium with application of 100% NPK+200 kg wellgrow grain/ha and at par with application of 100% NPK+300 kg wellgrow soil/ha (T8) and 100% NPK+300 kg wellgrow grain/ha (T9). Treatment receiving 100% NPK+300 kg wellgrow grain/ha resulted in maximum grain yield (45.47 q/ha). Treatment (T8) maintained higher straw yield (79.9 q/ha) due to application of 100% NPK along with 300 kg wellgrow soil/ha, whereas it was at par with application of 75 and 100% NPK with both the levels of wellgrow formulation.
Effectiveness of rhizobial strains with and without co-inoculants and phosphate on bengal gram (Cicer arietinum)
(1982) B.R. Maurya; C.L. Sanoria
That rhizobial strains belonging to pulses not only differ among themselves but also show differences in their effectiveness when Azotobacter isolates are used as co-inoculants has been shown by Sanoria & Ram (1979) and Sanoria & Mallik (1981). This has now been further demonstrated in trials conducted over 2 years using bengal gram. These trials also included a phosphate solubilizing bacterium (Pseudomonas spp.) as an extra inoculant but it had no effect on the responses obtained. © 1982, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.
Enzymatic activities and microbial population in agric-soils of Almora district of central Himalaya as influenced by altitudes
(2011) B.R. Maurya; Vimal Singh; P.P. Dhyani
Abundance of various kind of microorganisms and their activity in soil is a presumptive of fertility status of that soil. Hence, the present study was designed to assess the impact of altitudes on activity of two important soil health bioindicators in agricultural soils of Almora district of Central Himalaya. Seventy two soil samples were collected from agricultural lands at different altitudes of Almora, Uttarakhand, India and were assayed for their electro-chemical properties microbial colony forming unit (cfu) and microbial activities such as dehydrogenase and phosphatase following the standard procedures. It was recorded that soil was acidic in range with nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in middle to high range. Also their content in soil increased at high altitude as compared to low altitude. Dehydrogenase and phosphatase activities varied with altitudes and these were high at higher altitudes. Dehydrogenase possessed a significant and positive correlation with nitrogen (r=0.83) and phosphorous (r = 0.64) while phosphatase showed significant and positive correlation with organic carbon (r=0.66). It was concluded that activity of dehydrogenase and phosphatase in soil would be an effective tool to assess the soil health. © 2011 Academic Journals Inc.
Influence of inceptisol and alfisol’s potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB) isolates on release of k from waste mica
(Society for Plant Research, 2014) B.R. Maurya; Vijay Singh Meena; O.P. Meena
Major part of potassium in soil exists in form of insoluble K-minerals. Fraction of Ksolubilized from such minerals through potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB) will reduce cost on import of K- fertilizers. Nine and four isolates of K-solubilizing bacteria from Inceptisol (KI) and Alfisol (KA), respectively were evaluated for their ability to release of K from waste mica at 7, 14 and 21 days of incubation in modified Aleksandrov medium containing powdered waste mica as sole source of potassium. Morphological characteristics, zone of solubilization at week end and acidity of broth at different incubation periods were also studied. Majority of the isolates were entire smooth margin, raised, translucent, gram +ve rods and whitish to creamy in appearance. Isolates from cereals caused more zone of solubilization than pulse isolates. Isolates either from Alfisol or from Inceptisol efficiently decreased pH of the broth with increase in incubation periods. Isolates of same soil type differed in their K-release capacity. KSB isolates from Inceptisol showed higher K solubilization potential than isolates from Alfisol. Isolate KI1 & KA19 caused maximum acidity but lowest release of K from mica indicated that decrease in pH of the medium is not the only mechanism of K release from native K mineral of soil. Isolate KI16 and KA59 were high slime producer and showed highest 23.88 and 13.71 µg mL-1 K solubilization capacity, respectively and emerged out as potential isolates of Ksolubilizers as a K- biofertilizers. © 2014, Society for Plant Research. All rights reserved.
Integrated effect of bio-organics with chemical fertilizer on growth, yield and quality of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata)
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research, 2014) Rajhans Verma; B.R. Maurya; Vijay Singh Meena
This experiment focused on the effects of Pseudomonas fluorescens and humic acid in combination with three different levels of fertilizers on growth, yield and quality traits of Brassica oleracea L. Results indicated that treatments comprising 100% recommended fertilizers package coupled with seedling treated with Pseudomonas fluorescens and humic acid caused significantly higher plant height, dry matter in leaves (head), higher number of non-wrapper leaves and head yield (54.38 tonnes/ha) over 50% recommended dose of fertilizer with Pseudomonas fluorescens applied. Treatment 50% recommended dose of fertilizer applied with Pseudomonas fluorescens and humic acid was at par with 100% recommended dose of fertilizer alone. Total carbohydrate content in head (40.46%) was significantly higher with use of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer with Pseudomonas fluorescens and humic acid. Maximum protein content (18.54%) was noticed with application of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer with Pseudomonas fluorescens and humic acid that was 10.90% higher than recommended dose of fertilizer alone. Fibre content in head was improved remarkably with the use of Pseudomonas fluorescens and humic acid. Significantly higher content of ascorbic acid (34.51 mg/100 g) in head was also registered with application of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer with Pseudomonas fluorescens and humic acid.
Isolation and characterization of PGPR and their effect on growth, yield and nutrient content in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
(Elsevier Ltd, 2014) A. Kumar; B.R. Maurya; R. Raghuwanshi
The aims of our study were to enhance growth, yield and micronutrient status of wheat crop by various combinations of microbial strains (Bacillus megaterium, Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus and Enterobacter sp.) under pot and field experiments. Microbial strains were isolated from soils of different cropping systems and characterized by biochemical and molecular methods. Microbial strains (B. megaterium BHU1 and A. chlorophenolicus BHU3) showed positive result for nitrogen fixation and phosphate solubilization, while Enterobacter sp. BHU5 gave positive result in nitrogen fixation only. However, A. chlorophenolicus and Enterobacter sp. showed HCN production while B. megaterium and Enterobacter sp. gave siderophore. Maximum N2-fixation and IAA production were observed with 15.0 mg Ng-1 carbon by A. chlorophenolicus and 26.4 μg ml-1 at tryptophan 100 μg ml-1 by Enterobacter sp, respectively. Triple combination of strains B. megaterium, A. chlorophenolicus and Enterobacter significantly increased 17.5%, 79.8%, 78.6% and 26.7% plant height, grain yield, straw yield and test weight under pot condition and also 29.4%, 27.5%, 29.5% and 17.6% under field condition, respectively. Similarly these treatment combinations showed maximum nutrient acquisition and content of micronutrient viz. Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn in grain of wheat under both conditions. The results showed that the combined application of indigenous PGPR, B. megaterium, A. chlorophenolicus and Enterobacter can be used as efficient microbial consortium for wheat production. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.
Potassium solubilization by bacterial strain in waste mica
(Bangladesh Botanical Society, 2014) V.S. Meena; B.R. Maurya; Indra Bahadur
The release of K from waste mica (muscovite and biotite) was tested with 4 K-solubilizing isolates collected from maize rhizosphere, for 7, 14 and 21 days of incubation at 28 ± 2°C. K-solubilization by different bacterial isolates showed significant change on muscovite and biotite powder supplemented plates and the amount of K released varied from 1.28-46.75 μg/ml. The soluble K contents in all isolated treatments were significantly higher than control. Herein, isolate KSB2 had higher K-solubilization ability when compared with other isolates (KSB1, KSB3 and KSB4) in vitro.
Potential use of parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) in agriculture
(2010) Prem Kishor; A.K. Ghosh; Surendra Singh; B.R. Maurya
Parthenium hysterophorus L., being a declared invasive weed is threatening the biodiversity and human health in several areas of India. Several researchers have documented the allelopathic effect of this weed. Therefore, Parthenium management would remain a great concern of the century. However, several studies proposed that Parthenium can be used as a Green manure, compost, biocontrol, soil ameliorate that may improve physical, chemical and biological properties of the soils and is a source of readily available plant micro- and macro-nutrients. Numerous studies revealed that the integrated use of Parthenium in soil modifies the physico-chemical, biological and nutritional quality of the soil. Parthenium has great potentiality in agriculture due to its efficacy in modification of soil health and crop performance. The high concentration of elements (N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) in composted Parthenium increases the yield of many agricultural crops. An exhaustive review of numerous studies of last two decades took place in this study, which systematically covers the importance, scope and apprehension regarding utilization of Parthenium in agriculture. Parthenium hysterophorus can be used as a bioherbicide. Appreciable quantity of nutrients in Parthenium can be utilized to nourish the crops after composting and a lot of green Parthenium can be destroyed. This suggests that composting of uprooted Parthenium, or use as a green manure and Parthenium extract may reduce its spreading and inhibit the weed growth as well as menace of human health hazards worldwide. © 2010 Knowledgia Review, Malaysia.
Residual impact of wellgrow formulation and NPK on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
(Bangladesh Botanical Society, 2015) V.S. Meena; B.R. Maurya; R.S. Meena
Effect of concentrate organic manure (wellgrow grain and wellgrow soil) and NPK improved the growth and yield of wheat. Significant improvement in terms of growth parameters like plant height, tillers, dry matter production and productive tillers with application of 120 : 60 : 60 NPK + 300 kg wellgrow soil/ha and at par with application of 120 : 60 : 60 NPK + 300 kg wellgrow grain/ha, treatment receiving 100% NPK + 300 kg wellgrow soil/ha resulted maximum grain yield (4545 kg /ha). Treatment of 100% NPK + 300 kg wellgrow grain/ha maintained higher straw yield (5715 kg/ha) and test weight (44.10 g) due to application of 100% NPK along with 200 kg wellgrow soil/ha whereas it was at par with application of 75 and 100% NPK with both levels of wellgrow formulation.
Response of rice (Oryza sativa) hybrids to integrated nitrogen management under different methods of cultivation
(Indian Society of Agronomy, 2016) A.L. Jat; V.K. Srivastava; Avijit Sen; J.S. Bohra; B.R. Maurya; Rajesh Kumar Singh
A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 2012 and 2013 at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to study the effect of integrated nitrogen management on performance of rice (Oryza sativa L.) hybrids under different methods of cultivation on sandy clay-loam soil. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with 2 crop-establishment methods and 2 hybrids assigned to main plots, and 6 integrated nitrogen-management treatments were allocated in subplots and replicated thrice. Transplanting of rice under system of rice intensification (SRI) and rice cv. ‘Arize 6444’ recorded significantly higher growth attributes, viz. plant height, tillers/hill, leaf-area index, and dry-matter accumulation/hill, with almost all yield-attributing characters and yield, except plant height and panicle length which were significantly higher ‘PHB 71’ than ‘Arize 6444’. The SRI planting increased the grain and straw yield by 14.76% and 13.11% over normal transplanting. Similarly, SRI planting and ‘Arize 6444’ cultivar also gave significantly maximum benefit in respect to gross returns, net returns (66,138 and 61,535/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.86 and 1.66) over normal transplanting and ‘PHB 71’. Among all the integrated nitrogen-management treatments, application of 50% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) + 50% N through FYM + Azospirillum recorded significantly higher growth attributes, yield attributes, grain yield (6.94 t/ha), straw yield (9.16 t/ha), harvest index, net monetary returns (68,064/ha), but application of 125% RDN was found economically feasible in respect to benefit: cost ratio (1.88) owing to lower cost of cultivation. © 2017, Indian Society of Agronomy. All rights reserved.
Use of uprooted Parthenium before flowering as compost: A way to reduce its hazards worldwide
(2010) Prem Kishor; B.R. Maurya; A.K. Ghosh
Parthenium can be utilized to nourish the crops after composting. The present investigation was aimed to assess the combined effect of N through Parthenium Compost (PCN) and urea (U) along with Azotobacter chroococcum on growth and yield of Triticum aestivum L. Salient chemical characteristics of Parthenium Compost (PC) such as total nutrient content (N, P, K and S) and biological characteristics such as total number of bacteria, fungi, azotobacter and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) were 3.66×106, 9.67× 104, 2.33×106, 7.67×105 and 2.67×106, respectively. Total N, P, K and S in Parthenium compost were 1.58, 0.33, 1.64 and 0.29%, respectively and total micronutrients such as Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were recorded 7829, 304, 116 and 66 ppm, respectively. Results revealed that 100% N through Parthenium compost is detrimental to wheat. Judicious use of 50% N through each of Parthenium compost and urea along with Azotobacter chroococcum was found to be beneficial for better growth and higher yields of wheat. Increasing temperature of compost pit could not destroy 100% viability of Parthenium seeds. Embryo dormancy exists in seeds of Parthenium hysterophorus that break down by heat shock. Application of bloomed Parthenium compost generated new plants of Parthenium in wheat. This suggests that composting of uprooted Parthenium before flowering may reduce its spreading as well as menace of human health hazards worldwide. © 2010 Academic Journals Inc.