Effect of non-symbiotic microbial inoculants on growth, yield and quality of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) grown in sodic soil

Abstract

The response of non-symbiotic microbial inoculants on growth, yield and quality of fennel(Foeniculum vulgare) grown in partially reclaimed sodic soils was studied at Lucknow (UttarPradesh). The results revealed that inoculation of phosphate solubilizing bacteria or incombination with Azotobacter chroococcum was superior resulting in 14%–15% increase in seedyield. Application of fertilizers (80 kg ha-1 N + 25 kg ha-1 P) with inoculants had an additiveeffect on plant growth. An increase in availability of soil P (41%–44%) and essential oilcontent (10%–14%) was also noticed.