Liquid inoculants of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPR) on seed vigour and growth of rice seedlings (CO-43) Manimekalai G.*, Kannahi M.** *Assistant Professor, Sengamala Thayaar Educational, Trust Womens College Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu, India. Email id: manistet@gmail.com **Assistant Professor, Sengamala Thayaar Educational, Trust Womens College Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu, India. Email id: kannahiamf@gmail.com Online published on 10 October, 2018. Abstract Single and combined inoculation of liquid PGPR inoculants on rice seed germination and growth of seedlings under green house trial were investigated. The selected liquid inoculants namely Azospirillum sp, Azotobacter sp and Pseudomonas sp were tested on rice variety CO-43. The liquid formulations developed with matka khaad liquid manure and protective substances (Trehalos 1%) base, for individual bacteria and mixed cultures were used. These formulations were used for seed treatment, seedling treatment and soil application, in rice under in vitro germination conditions. Higher percentage of seed germination was recorded in T5 treatment (Azosprillum sp + Pseudomonas+ Bacillus sp-89.25) followed by (T4-Azotobacter sp +Pseudomonas + Bacillus sp-88.50) than the single inoculation. In all the treatments seed vigour index was higher (T5–7348 ± 97.2) than control. The other growth parameters such as plant height, number of tillers, chlorophyll content and number of leaves were enhanced by the combination of both of the bacteria when compared to individual formulations. The results revealed that the multifactorial mixed inoculants can be used as better alternative to reduce the use of chemical fertilizer in rice cultivation for sustainable agriculture and soil conservation. Top Keywords Azospirillum Sp, Azotobacter Sp, Seed Germination, Rice. Top |