​Zero Tillage in Combination with Seed Treatment by Different Biofertilizers Increased Soil Organic Carbon, Macro and Micro-nutrients Status and Nodulation under Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.)

Abstract

Background: Symbiotic association with different microbes is an integral and ecologically vital component of legumes. Most previous studies focused on sole application of microbial agents, with limited studies investigating the effects of co-inoculation of different microbial agents under different tillage practices on soil properties. The current study aimed to assess the effect of tillage practice and seed treatment with different biofertilizers inoculations on the soil chemical properties and nodulation under faba bean (Vicia faba L.) crop. Methods: The study was conducted in factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with two tillage system viz., T1: Conventional tillage (CT), T2: Zero tillage (ZT) and eight biofertilizer inoculation combinations of Rhizobium spp., phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) replicated three times during rabi 2019-20. Result: Zero tillage and biofertilizer inoculations significantly increased organic carbon, available nitrogen and phosphorus content of the soil. The number of nodules/plant, nodules fresh and dry weight/plant were recorded significantly higher in ZT as compared to CT and in seed treatment with Rhizobium spp. + PSB + VAM over other inoculations except Rhizobium spp. + VAM. The content of DTPA (Diethylenetriamine pentaacetate)-extractable Fe and Mn in soil was significantly enhanced by seed treatment with biofertilizer.