Enhancement of growth, yield and quality of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Fenugreek) in response to dual application of Azotobacter chrococcum (Azotobacter) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria) under Northern region

Abstract

Medicinal plants are used in natural therapies and food additives, but chemical fertilizers can negatively impact plant growth. Using beneficial rhizosphere microbiota can improve plant production under both conventional and stressed conditions. The present investigation was was set up using a Randomized Block Design (RBD), with six treatments and three replications each, carried out during the rabi season of 2024. Treatments as T1 (Control), T2 (Vermicompost at 5 t/ha), T3 (Azotobacter at 15 g/kg seed + Vermicompost at 2.5 t / ha), T4 (PSB + Azotobacter at 15 g / kg seed), T5 (FYM at 10 t / ha), and T6 (FYM at 5 t / ha + Azotobacter + PSB at 15 g / kg seed) investigated the impact of bio-fertilizers on plant biometric parameters and crude protein content in fenugreek. The plant's total performance was greatly enhanced by applying both Azotobacter and PSB in addition to FYM. The results showed that the treatment T6 (FYM at 5 t / ha + Azotobacter + PSB at 15 g / kg seed) significantly increased plant height, number of branches, number of leaves and yield compared to the control at all time points (30 DAS, 60 DAS, and 90 DAS), followed by treatment T4 (PSB + Azotobacter at 15 g/kg seed). The treatment T6 yields the highest crude protein content, up to 21.94%, followed by the treatment T4 as a reasonably high protein content of 21.32%. The study revealed that Azotobacter and PSB, along with FYM, significantly improved plant performance, suggesting that beneficial microorganisms can enhance plant growth and development. Fertilizers such as FYM and vermicompost also had a positive impact on plant growth and quality in fenugreek.