Response of bioinoculents on growth, yield and fiber quality of cotton under irrigation

A field experiment was conducted at Marathwada Agriculture University, Parbhani (M.S., India) to study the effect of bioinoculents on cotton. A co-cultured formulation of Azospirillum, Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and Pink coloured facultative methylotrops (PPFM) were used as bioinoculants in cotton var. PH-348. Plant growth parameters (length, fresh and dry weight) of shoot and root, yield parameters (weight of bolls, number of bolls per plants, seed cotton yield) and fiber quality parameters (span length, uniformity ratio, micronair value, tenacity, EIG%, SFI) were determined. Inoculation of Azospirillum, PSB and PPFMs along with chemical fertilizers resulted in to the significant increase in growth and seed cotton yield parameters of irrigated cotton. The interaction effect due to fertilizer and inoculation were significant on all dates of observations. Surat strain of Azospirillum was proved superior at all fertilizer level. The superiority of Surat strain of Azospirillum + PSB + PPFM was evident at all the fertilizer level and was immediately followed by MAU strain of Azospirillumn + PSB + PPFM. The uses of bioinoculents are beneficial in improving the fiber quality up to some extent.