Synergistic Effects of FYM, Vermicompost and Dual Biofertilizer Inoculation on Growth and Yield of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) in Semi-Arid Regions

Abstract

The average seed yield of linseed is very low mainly due to its cultivation on residual moisture and lack of package of practices for seed production. Hence there is a need to develope seed production technology for obtaining higher seed yield and quality in linseed. Use of organic manure alone or in combination with biofertilizers and chemical fertilizer, helps in improving physio-chemical properties of soil and improve availability of nutrients ultimately increase the linseed productivity. A field investigation is carried out in Rabi season 2020-21 at Agronomy Farm, College of Agriculture, Nagpur, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, on “Effect of organic sources of nutrients and biofertilizers on growth and yield of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L)”. Experimental results observed that, combined application of 50% RDN through FYM + 50% RDN through Vermicompost recorded significantly highest Plant height (51.22), No. of branches (4.41), dry matter (7.48 g), No. of capsule plant-1 (78.78), No. of grains capsule-1 (8.50), grain yield plant-1 (4.45 g), straw yield (2555 kg ha-1) and grain yield (1302 kg ha-1). In Azotobacter treatments dual inoculation of Azotobacter and PSB recorded significantly highest Plant height (48.79), No. of branches (4.15), dry matter (6.74 g), No. of capsule plant-1 (74.36), No. of grains capsule-1 (7.99), grain yield plant-1 (4.14 g), straw yield (2410 kg ha-1) and grain yield (1233 kg ha-1). It might be due to balanced and continuous supply of macro and micro nutrients required to enhance the enzymatic activity and physiological process of plant which in turn reflected through the inflated stature of growth and yield attributes of linseed and also activity of N-fixing and phosphate solubilizing bacteria in supplying additional N and P2O5 to the crop resulting highest growth and yield attributes. Application of organic sources of nutrients 50% RDN through FYM + 50% RDN through Vermicompost and Dual seed inoculation with Azotobacter + PSB recorded higher growth; yields attributes and yield over control.