Effect of biological potassium fertilization (BPF) on the availability of phosphorus and potassium to maize (Zea Mays L.) under controlled conditions

Abstract

The main aim of the present study was to examine the benefits of inoculating the maize seeds with Biological Potassium fertilizer (BPF) with relevance to Phosphorus and Potassium nutrition to maize and its growth. The experiment was accomplished on combined use of Chemical and Biological Potassium Fertilizer with nitrogen as a basal dose added in each pot. There were nine treatments with different combinations of PK and BPF, to see the best treatment. Best results were obtained by the treatment which is supplied by full dose of PK and then comparable results were observed by treatment supplied with half dose of PK and BPF, while for micronutrients BPF performed best. We can reduce the amount of chemical fertilizers as it is hazardous to environment and costly too by using BPF. It is concluded that application of BPF has a significant effect on biomass yield, potassium uptake due to higher solubilization of K. Thus, bio intervention of BPF could be an alternative and viable technology to solubilize insoluble K into soluble form and could be used efficiently as a source of K fertilizer for sustaining crop production and maintaining soil potassium.