Halophilic microbial formulations for improving crop productivity and soil health under saline Vertisols of Gujarat

A study was carried out during winter (rabi) seasons of 2018 and 2019 at research farm of ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Bharuch, Gujarat to find out the effect of various halophilic microbial formulations in combination of organic manure and chemical fertilizers on winter (rabi) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity under saline Vertisols. Experiment was conducted in a randomized block design (RBD) comprised of 5 treatments, viz. T1 , Un-inoculated + Vermicompost @2.5 t/ha + 100% RDF (recommended dose of fertilizers); T2 , Un-inoculated + Vermicompost @2.5 t/ha + 75% RDF; T3 , Vermicompost @2.5 t/ha + 75% RDF + Halo-Azo inoculation; T4 , Vermicompost @2.5 t/ha + 75% RDF + Halo-PSB inoculation; and T5 , Vermicompost @2.5 t/ha + 75% RDF + Mix of Halo-Azo and Halo-PSB inoculation, replicated thrice. Results showed that application of different halophilic microbial formulations like Halo-Azo (Azotobacter sp. and Bacillus sp.) and Halo-PSB (consortia of Eneterobacter and Brevibacterium sp.) with vermicompost @2.5 t/ha + 75% RDF (recommended dose of fertilizers), provided at par yield with full dose (120 : 60 : 00; N : P : K kg/ha) of fertilizers, thus able to reduce 25% chemical fertilizer dose. Halo-Azo formulation performed better for improving crop yield as compared to Halo-PSB formulation. Combined application of Halo-Azo and Halo-PSB with vermicompost @2.5 t/ha and 75% RDF performed the best and provided significantly higher grain yield (2.75 t/ha) as compared to other treatments. Single and combined application of Halo-Azo and Halo-PSB with vermicompost @2.5 t/ha and 75% RDF also improved soil health parameters and significant results, i.e. declined EC (2.46 dS/m) and pH (7.33), improved organic carbon (0.69%) and nutrient availability (available N: 299.8 kg/ha and P: 28.7 kg/ha) were obtained. Results showed that integration of halophilic microbial formulations with organics and chemical fertilizers was able to improve wheat yield up to 15% than conventional farming under saline Vertisols of Gujarat.