Effect of PGPR and Biogas Slurry on Growth and Yield Parameters of Pea under Salt Affected Conditions

Abstract

Salt stress is a significant abiotic plant growth restrictive factor; it is becoming a severe environmental threat. The microorganism in the rhizosphere especially fungi and bacteria can increase the plant production under stress conditions both by direct and indirect mechanisms. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of biogas slurry and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) at different levels of salinity to improve the growth and yield of pea (Pisum sativum ). In field experiment biogas slurry @ 600 kg ha-1 and 800 kg ha-1 and PGPR strain “bacillus subtilis” was applied along with 6 dS m-1 and 8 dS m-1 levels of salt stress in addition to recommended doses of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus fertilizer. The results revealed that the combined application of PGPR and biogas slurry under normal soil conditions increased shoot length by 30.27% while under saline conditions it increased up-to 65.27%. Soil salinity reduced root length up-to 79.155% at 8 dS m-1 as compared to control. Application of biogas slurry improved 5.93% root length under salt stress as compared to respective control, on the other hand the combined application of PGPR and biogas slurry increased root length by 33.128% under normal conditions and under salinity stress it increased by 73.53%.Soil salinity reduced chlorophyll content 36.54% of pea decrease under salt stress, the application of biogas slurry under the same condition improved 29.26% chlorophyll content of pea but the combined application of PGPR and biogas slurry enhanced the chlorophyll contents 4.68% as compared to solely application of biogas slurry. The results clearly indicated that the combined application of PGPR and biogas slurry is the best source to enhance the growth and yield of pea under normal as well as under salinity stress. Key Words:   PGPR, Bio gas, Salinity, Peas, Growth, Yield.