Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria and rice straw biochar consequence on maize pigments synthesis

Abstract

To determine the effect of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria and biochar various application rates on fresh and dry weight, photosynthetic and accessory pigments production in maize plants a pot experiment was conducted. There were 4 doses of Rice straw biochar (0, 1, 2 and 3%) with and without phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) making 8 treatments with 4 replications (CRD). After 40, days of seeds sowing plants were harvested and pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, lycopene, carotenoids and anthocyanin) analysis was done in maize shoot as well as pH, EC (µS/cm) and OM (%) in post harvested soil. Results indicated a significant increase in soil pH, EC and OM due to addition of 1%, 2% and 3% rice straw biochar (RSB) which helps in enhancing the activity of photosynthesis by providing nutrients. PSB significantly reduced the pH of soil through organic secretions and OM by decomposition. Interactive effect of PSB and biochar was significant for chlorophyll (a, b, total) while it changed the lycopene, carotenoids and anthocyanin synthesis non significantly. In case of lycopene the maximum synthesis was noted in control (B0P0) treatment plants. The plants cultivated in a soil having treatment 3% rice straw biochar + PSB showed maximum production of pigments as compared to the control (B0P0) treatment plants. The main and interactive effects of RSB as well as PSB were significant on maize plants fresh and dry weight. An increasing rate of biochar enhanced the fresh and dry weight gain in combination with PSB.