Effect of Combined Inoculations of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) on the Growth and yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a premier oil seed crop of India occupying 45 percent of total oil seed production. India ranks first in the world accounting for 30 percent of the world s groundnut area (690 M ha) and 19 percent of world s production (6.41 MT). Though India leads both in area and production of groundnut, the country ranks eight in productivity due to fertilizer management and erratic response of the crop in terms of yield. Intensive groundnut cultivation largely requires use of chemical fertilizer even though they are expensive besides short supply. The escalating cost of fertilizers and low Purchase power of peasants restrict judicious usage of these inputs under such conditions, there is every need to explore the possibilities of using the native sources of plant nutrition. The bio and organic sources, like biofertilizers and organic manures as supplement to plant nutrients are gaining global importance in groundnut cultivation. Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) is a group of bacteria that enhances plant growth and yield through various growth promoting ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 3 Number 8 (2014) pp. 1010-1020 http://www.ijcmas.com