International Journal of Agriculture and Crop Sciences.

Available online at www.ijagcs.com

IJACS/2014/7-10/769-773
ISSN 2227-670X ©2014 IJACS Journal

Sustainable Phosphorous Management in Maize (zea

mays l.) Through Seed Inoculation With psm
(Phosphorous Solubilizer Microorganisms)
Ihtisham Ul Haq1, Shahid Ibni Zamir*, Atif Javed2.Sajid Hussain
1. Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
2. Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad,
Pakistan.

Corresponding author email: ibnizamir@uadf.edu.pk

ABSTRACT: To evaluate the sustainable phosphorous management in maize (Zea mays L.) through
seed inoculation with phosphorous solubilizer microorganism (PSM), a field experiment was conducted
during spring 2012 at Agronomic Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The experiment
was laid out in RCBD (Randomized Complete Block Design) with factorial arrangement with three
replications using the net plot size of 6.0 m x 3.0 m. The experiment was comprised of two factors. Factor
-1
A (Level of phosphorus) was consist of three treatments I (recommended dose of phosphorus 120kg ha )
-1
II (75% of recommended dose of phosphorus 90kg ha ) III (50% of recommended dose of phosphorus
-1
60kg ha ) and Factor B (seed inoculation) also consist of three treatments I (control), II (seed inoculation
with Bacillus spp.) and III (seed inoculation with Pseudomonas spp.). Maize Hybrid (DKC-6142) was
-1
sown using seed rate of 25 kg ha keeping row to row distance 60 cm and plant to plant distance 20 cm.
All other agronomic practices and inputs were kept normal and uniform for all treatments. The data was
recorded using standard procedures for various agronomic traits. The data obtained was analyzed by
using Fisher’s analysis of variance technique and difference among treatment means was compared
using least significant difference test (LSD) at 5% probability. Both the different level of the phosphorus
and inoculation with phosphorus solubilizer microorganism significantly affected the yield related
parameters of maize but had non- significant effect on the number of cobs per plant, plant height, and
starch content. Regarding single strains better effects were achieved in pseudomonas as compared to
bacillus. Inoculation with pseudomonas in combination with the fertilizer application at the rate of 120 kg
per hectare significantly increased the number of grains row per cob (18.667), thousand grain weight
-1) -1)
(482.67g), grain yield(5.60 tha biological yield (15.60 tha ) respectively. It was concluded that
inoculation with pseudomonas species in combination with the phosphorus fertilizer application at the rate
of 120 kg per hectare was more beneficent for the growth and yield of maize as compared to inoculation
with bacillus in combination with phosphorous fertilizer.
Keywords: Phosphorus, PSM, Inoculation, Management,Sustainability

INTRODUCTION

Maize (Zea mays L.) is very important and high yielding crop in cereals and enjoys the third position in
Pakistan after wheat and rice. It is very important in Pakistan because in Pakistan there is need of abundant
supply of food because population is increasing day by day. Maize accounts for 4.8% of the total cropped area
and 3.5% of the value of agricultural output. Maize area of cultivation and production in 2010-2011 was 935
thousand hectare and production 3262 thousand tons but it increased by 2.4% in 2011-12 showing an increase of
939 thousand hectare of cultivation and 3341 thousand tons in production (Pakistan economic survey, 2010-
2011). It is used as a staple food after wheat and rice and in most of the countries it grows more as compared to
other cultivated crops (Frova et al., 1999). Maize grain contains about 72% starch, 10% proteins, 4.8% oil, 8.5 %
fiber, 3.0% sugar and 1% ash (Chaudhary, 1993).
Maize yield is still low in spite of increased area under maize production. Main reasons of declining maize
yield include some factors: declining of soil fertility and fixation of applied nutrients. Phosphorous, present in high
Intl J Agri Crop Sci. Vol., 7 (10), 769-773, 2014

amount in soil don’t fulfill the requirements of plant because it is mostly unavailable to plants because of fixation.
On arable lands 30 to 40 % crop yield is reduced due to phosphorous unavailability (Vance et al., 2003). To
increase the maize yield there is need to apply high amount of nutrients like phosphorous. After nitrogen,
phosphorous is second important mineral nutrient required both by the plant and the microorganism. In most of
the deserts and calcareous soil there is less availability of the phosphorous to the plant (Koreish et al., 1998).
Phosphorous is one of the most essential nutrients which plays a very important role in improvement of crop yield
and mainly it improves the reproductive growth of crop (Wojnowska et al., 1995). All around the world efficiency of
phosphorous is low ranging from 10 to 25% (Afzal et al., 2005). PSM has the ability of solubilizing the fixed
phosphorous by releasing of organic acid, which convert the insoluble phosphorous to soluble form by increasing
the phosphorous availability to plants (Sharan et al., 2008).The adequate availability of the phosphorous
increases the early plant growth and hastens the maturity (Busman et al., 2002). At high rate of P application
plant height, number of grains, number of rows, number of grains per cob and phosphorous uptake efficiency of
maize increases (Sahoo and Panda, 2001). Saeed et al. (2001) reported that all the growth parameters such as
plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area per plant, fresh and dry weight of the plant increased by
application of the phosphorous alone or in combination with the nitrogen. He also concluded that grain yield (4583
-1 -1
kg ha ) was maximum where the phosphorous and nitrogen were applied @ 120kh ha respectively. Increased
application of the nitrogen and the phosphorous increase the growth of maize. And all the quality parameters and
yield parameter increased as the application of the phosphorous increased (Ayub et al., 2002). Alias et al. (2003)
reported that leaf area per plant, 1000-grain weight and number of grains per cob was significantly increased by
increasing dose of the phosphorous and highest grain yield, number of grains per cob was observed where the
-1
phosphorous was applied @125 kgha .
Phosphorous solubilizer microorganism has the ability of releasing the fixed phosphorous to soluble form
and this releasing of fixed phosphorous to soluble form resulting in higher yield of crops (Gull et al., 2004).
Phosphorous solubilizer microorganism has the ability of increasing the plant growth and productivity of crop by
various mechanisms, such as by the production of different plant hormones such as auxin, cytokinins and
siderphore. Microbial production of siderphores is helpful in iron stress suppression (Machuca et al., 2001).
Bacterial application can be used as substituent of chemical fertilizer in organic agricultural system and in the
absence of ant chemical fertilizer, bacterial application can promote plant growth and yield of crop at acceptable
level and give the appropriate performance (Mehrvaz et al., 2008). Inoculation with phosphorous solubilizer
bacteria increase the availability of the phosphorus to plants along this it suppress the several diseases which
leads towards the higher growth and yield of hybrid maize (Das et al., 2003). PSM in combination with
Azotobacter increase the plant height and dry biomass this increase is due to uptake of nutrients like N, P, and Fe
(Biari et al., 2008). Increased root area of the plant is an important function of inoculation with PSM, which
facilitate the plant to take nutrient and cause it to increase the growth and yield of crop (Meena et al., 2010).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was done to investigate the sustainable phosphorus management in maize through seed
inoculation with phosphorous solubilizer microorganisms was carried out at Agronomic research area,
Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during spring 2012. The experiment was laid out
according to Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement with a net plot size of 3m x
6m and row to row distance 60 cm and plant to plant distance of 20 cm. The experiment was comprised of two
factors. Factor A (Level of phosphorus) will consist of three treatments I (recommended dose of phosphorus
-1 -1
120kg ha ) II (75% of recommended dose of phosphorus 90kg ha ) III (50% of recommended dose of
-1
phosphorus 60kg ha ) and Factor B (seed inoculation) also consist of three treatments I (control) II (seed
inoculation with Bacillus spp.) III (seed inoculation with Pseudomonas spp.). Maize Hybrid (DKC-6142) was sown
-1 rd
using seed rate of 25 kg ha . The crop was sown during 3 week of February. Fertilizer was used @ 250- 120-
-1 rd
100 kg NPK ha . 1/3 of nitrogen and whole of the phosphorus and potassium was applied at the sowing time
while remaining nitrogen was applied in two doses i.e. at 1.5 ft and at 3.5 ft height of crop. Gap filling was done
after 10 days of sowing while thinning was done after 30 days of sowing. Hoeing was done twice i.e. 25 and 45
days after sowing of crop. Pesticide spray was done according to the requirement of crop. Data on yield
parameters of maize along with statistical analysis and interpretation are presented and discussed below.

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Effect of phosphorus and PSM on plant height of maize

The data regarding to plant height of maize crop are given in table. The data shows that both the
phosphorous and PSM (Phosphorous solubilizer microorganisms) have non- significant effect on the plant height
of maize individually and in combination .and also the interaction effect of both the factors have non- significant
effect on the plant height of maize. Regarding the phosphorous, plant height was maximum (203 cm) in P1
-1
treatment (recommended dose of the phosphorous 120 kg ha ) followed by P2 treatment (75% of the
recommended dose of the phosphorous). Minimum plant height (181.37 cm) was showed by the P 3 treatment.
And regarding the phosphorous solubilizer micro-organisms maximum plant height (200.27 cm) was showed by
the pseudomonas and the minimum plant height (185.40 cm) was showed in control plot.

Effect of phosphorus and PSM on number of cobs per plant of maize

The data regarding to the number of cobs per plant are given in the table 4.1. The data revealed that
different level of the phosphorous and the phosphorous solubilizer microorganisms have non- significant effect on
the number of cobs per plant individually. And the interactive effect of both phosphorous and the phosphorous
solubilizer microorganisms also have non- significant effect on the number of cobs per plant. As regards to
phosphorous levels, mean value of number of cobs per plant (1.40) was maximum observed in P1 (recommended
dose of the phosphorous
Whereas minimum number of cobs per plant (1.20) was showed where the 50% of the recommended
dose of the phosphorous (P3) were applied. As for as phosphorous solubilizer microorganisms, the maximum
mean value of number of cobs per plant (1.36) was observed in plot treated with pseudomonas spp (S3). And the
minimum number of cobs was observed in control (S1).

Effect of phosphorus and PSM on number of grains row per cob of maize
The data regarding the number of grains row per cob are given in table. The data revealed that different
level of the phosphorous and the phosphorous solubilizer microorganisms have significant effect on number of
grain row per cob individually. And the interactive effect of both phosphorous and the phosphorous solubilizer
microorganisms also have significant effect on number of grain row per cob. As regard to interaction effect
maximum number of grains row per cob (18.667) was showed by the P 1S3 (recommended dose of the
phosphorous + pseudomonas inoculation) followed by the P 1S2. While all other treatments showed statistically
non significant increase in number of grains row per cob. Minimum number of grains row per cob (12.993) was
showed by the P3S1. This decrease in number of grains row per cob was due to less availability of phosphorous to
the crop plants.

Effect of phosphorus and PSM on number of grains per cob of maize

The data pertaining to total number of grains per cob are given in the table. The data shows that both
different level of the phosphorous and inoculation with phosphorus solubilizer microorganism have significant
individual effect on total number of grains per cob. As regards to different level of the phosphorous , mean value
of total number of grains per cob was maximum (648.33) where the phosphorous was applied at the rate 120 kg
per hectare (P1) and the mean value of total number of grain was minimum(499.33) where the 50% of the
recommended dose of the phosphorous was applied(P3).As regard to inoculation with phosphorous solubilizer
microorganisms, mean value of the total number of grains per cob was maximum (625.19) in plot treated with
pseudomonas (S3) followed by plot treated with bacillus .and the minimum number of grains per cob (518.75) was
found in control plot. While interaction of both these factors have non-significant effect on total number of grains
per cob. As regard to interaction effect of both treatments both different level of the phosphorous and
phosphorous solubilizer microorganisms showed statistically non-significant results.

Effect of phosphorus and PSM on 1000-grain weight of maize

Data regarding the 1000 grain weight revealed that both phosphorous and phosphorous solubilizer
microorganisms have pronounce effect on the 1000 grain weight individually and in combination. Data regarding
the interaction effect both phosphorous and the phosphorous solubilizer microorganisms have pronounce effect
on the 1000 grain weight and maximum 1000 grain weight (482.67 g) was found in plot treated with P1S3
(recommended dose of the phosphorous + pseudomonas inoculation) followed by the P1S2 (recommended dose
of the phosphorous + pseudomonas inoculation) and the minimum 1000 grain weight was(395.33 g) showed by

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the P3S1(50% of the recommended dose of the phosphorus + control) followed by the P3S2 and P3S1 .remaining
all the treatment are not statistically different.

Table 1. Phosphorous

Treatments Plant Number of Number of grain Number of Thousand grain Biological Grain
height cobs per row per cob) grains per weight yield(t ha-1) yield(t ha-1)
(cm) plant) cob
P1 203.66 1.40 16.800 648.33A 460.22A 13.307A 5.213A
P2 198.75 1.31 15.422 578.50B 436.00B 11.016B 4.283B
P3 181.37 1.20 13.889 499.33C 407.56C 8.062C 2.673C
LSD(p) N.S N.S 0.58 * 34.05 * 8.93 * 0.67 * 0.31 *

Table 2. PSM (Phosphorous solubilizer microorganism)

Treatments Plant Number of Number of Number Thousand grain Biological Grain

height cobs per grain row per of grains weight yield(t ha-1) yield(t ha-
1
(cm) plant) cob) per cob )
S1 185.40 1.27 14.289 518.75C 447.89C 8.823C 3.175C
S2 198.10 1.29 15.400 582.22B 438.67B 11.011B 4.265B
S3 200.27 1.36 16.422 625.19A 417.22A 12.550A 4.729A
LSD(S) N.S N.S 0.56 * 33.86 * 8.89 * 0.65 * 0.34 *

Table 3. PHOSPHOROUS×PSM
Treatments Plant Number of Number of grain Number of Thousand grain Biological Grain yield
height cobs per row per cob) grains per weight yield
(cm) plant) cob
P1×S1 200.27 1.33 15.067cd 580.00 431.67cd 10.00de 3.88e
P1×S2 204.53 1.40 16.667b 654.00 466.33b 14.18b 5.60b
P 1× S 3 206.17 1.47 18.667a 711.00 482.67a 15.70a 6.160a
P 2× S 1 192.25 1.33 14.867cde 536.49 424.67de 9.46e 3.44ef
P 2× S 2 201.00 1.27 15.533cd 589.00 436.33cd 10.65d 4.42d
P 2× S 3 203.00 1.33 15.867bc 610.00 447.00 12.93c 4.98c
P 3× S 1 163.70 1.13 12.993f 439.77 395.33f 7.00g 2.20h
P 3× S 2 188.77 1.20 14.00e 503.67 413.33e 8.19f 2.77g
P 3× S 3 191.63 1.27 14.733de 554.57 414.00e 8.98ef 3.04fg
LSD(P×S) N.S N.S 1.01* N.S 15.45* 1.12* 0.55*

-1
Effect of phosphorus and PSM on biological yield (t ha ) of maize
Biological yield reflects about the total biomass obtained by the plant during its life cycle under prevailing
condition(using different treatments)and it comprises of Stover and grain yield. The data revealed that different
level of the phosphorous and the phosphorous solubilizer microorganisms have significant effect on the biological
yield individually. And the interactive effect of both phosphorous and the phosphorous solubilizer microorganisms
also have significant effect on the biological yield. Data shows that the interaction effect of both phosphorous and
the phosphorus solubilizer microorganisms also have significant effect on the grain yield of the spring maize. Data
-1
regarding the interaction effect maximum biological yield (15.70 t ha ) was shown by the P1S3 (recommended
dose of the phosphorous + pseudomonas inoculation) followed by the P1S2 (recommended dose of the
-1 -1
phosphorous + Bacillus inoculation) (14.18 t ha ) .and the minimum biological yield (7.00 t ha ) was obtained by
-1
P3S1 which is statistically at par with P3S2 (8.19 t ha ) respectively.
-1
Effect of phosphorus and PSM on grain yield (t ha ) of maize
Grain yield is the end product of the crop it also called as economic yield. Grain yield obtained as a result
of the interaction of the all the yield related parameters such as plant height, number of cobs per plant, number of
grains per row, biological yield , biomass yield all these integrate and cause it to produce the grain yield. The data
shows that both the phosphorous and pseudomonas have significant individual effect on the grain yield. While
interaction effect of both these also has significant effect on grain yield of spring maize.data shows that the
interactive effect of both phosphorous and the phosphorus solubilizer microorganisms also have significant effect
-1
on the grain yield of the spring maize. Data regarding the interaction effect maximum grain yield (6.160 tha ) was
shown by the P1S3 (recommended dose of the phosphorous + pseudomonas inoculation) followed by the P1S2
-1 -1
(recommended dose of the phosphorous + pseudomonas inoculation) (5.60 t ha ) and P2S3 (4.98 tha ) .and the

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-1 -1
minimum grain yield (2.20 t ha ) was obtained by P3S1 which is statistically at par with P3S2 (2.77 t ha )
respectively.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that inoculation with pseudomonas species in combination with the phosphorus fertilizer
application at the rate of 120 kg per hectare has more significant effect on number of grains per row, 1000-grain
weight, biological yield and grain yield of maize as compared to inoculation with bacillus in combination with
phosphorous fertilizer and control plot.

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