3.1. Response of endophytic microbial inoculum on soil
physico-chemical properties
From the previous experimental result and compatibility test, we have
selected two seed endophytic bacteria for preparing the consortia (T3).
These are Enterobacter hormaechei BHUJPCS-15 (Accession number
MN078052) (T1) and Enterobacter cloacae BHUJPCS-21 (Accession
number MN078055) (T2). We have found that microbial consortia have the
ability to produce IAA (61.04 µg/ml), ammonia (105.45 µg/ml),
siderophore (18.06) and solubilize essential nutrient like phosphate
(871.14 µg/ml) and potassium, and showed antagonistic activity against
chickpea pathogen Fusarium sp. in-vitro condition(Table. 1) . After showing positive result in PGP biochemical
activity we set an experiment for chickpea growth promotion with the use
of these two seed endophytes and its consortia. Experiment was done in
pot and field condition to check microbial effect on soil health and
yield (Fig. 1).
The physiochemical property of experimental soil was checked and
recorded, the pH of pot and field soil were alkaline and the range
varied from 7.09 to 8.08 and 8.01 to 8.52 respectively, there was no
significant change in pH of pot and field trial. Other physiochemical
property such as EC ranged from 15.04 to 19.12 (us/cm) and 25.00 to
28.14 (us/cm) in pot and field soil respectively, and the significant
change was showed in all three treatment Control (T0)>E cloacae BHUJPCS-21 (T2)> E hormaecheiBHUJPCS-15 (T1)> Consortia (T3) in compare with untreated
control both in pot and field in same manner (Table: 2).Organic matter (OM) and organic carbon (OC) also recorded and the rage
was varied from 1.86 to 2.18 and 1.07 to1.32 respectively in pot soil
and the significant increase in % OM and % OC was observed in Control
> E cloacae BHUJPCS-21 > E
hormaechei BHUJPCS-15 > Consortia order, and % OM and %
OC was recorded 1.28 to 1.87 and 25.00 to 28.14 in experimental field in
Control> E hormaechei BHUJPCS-15>E cloacae BHUJPCS-21> Consortia and
Control> E cloacae BHUJPCS-21> E
hormaechei BHUJPCS-15> Consortia respectively