Screening of Beneficial Microorganisms to Improve Soybean Growth and Yield

Abstract The objective of this research was to identify the best microorganisms, alone or in mixture for total biomass gain (root + shoot), positive change in gas exchange, nutrient uptake (root, shoot and grain) and yield and yield components in the soybean crop. Trial under greenhouse conditions had the experimental design in a completely randomized scheme with 26 treatments and four replicates. The treatments consisted of the rhizobacteria BRM 32109, BRM 32110 and 1301 (Bacillus sp.), BRM 32111 and BRM 32112 (Pseudomonas sp.), BRM 32113 (Burkholderia sp.), BRM 32114 (Serratia sp.), Ab-V5 (Azospirillum brasilense) and 1381 (Azospirillum sp.), and the fungus Trichoderma asperellum (a mix of the isolates UFRA.T06, UFRA.T09, UFRA.T12 and UFRA.T52). Besides, the same isolates were combined in pairs, completing 16 combinations. Control treatments received no microorganism. Microorganisms applied isolated or in combination, provided biomass gain, positive gas exchange, increases in nutrients uptake at the shoot and grain, and improved grain yield and its components than control plants. Stood out the combination Ab-V5 + T. asperellum pool, which provided a 25% improvement in grain yield.

Evaluation of Phyto-extracts, Biological Agents and Chemicals against the Development of Alternaria brassicae in vitro and in vivo

Alternaria leaf blight caused by Alternaria brassicae and Alternaria brassicola, is one of the most destructive diseases of mustard (Brassica campestris, B. juncea and B.napus) in West Bengal, causing considerable damages to the crop. The experiment was conducted under in vitro and in vivo conditions to see the effect of bio-agents, plant extracts and chemicals (fungicide and SAR compound) against Alternaria brassicae. Maximum inhibition in mycelial growth (95.56%) was observed with Mancozeb 75% Wp followed by Lantana camera (80%), Salicylic acid (73.33%), Allium sativum (54.44%) and Zingiber officinale (17.78%) in comparison to control. Foliar spray with fungicide (Mancozeb 75% WP @ 0.2%) was found to be most effective in reducing disease severity (81,23%) and infection rate which increased the yield (77.23%) of mustard over untreated control. Among the plant extracts, Lantana camera was found to be excellent in controlling the Alternaria blight infection in the field (71.92% reduction in disease severity and 68.18% increase in yield) in comparison to salicylic acid (SAR compound) and bio-agent (Trichoderma viride) 48.33% and 36.27% reduction in disease severity respectively.