Boosting forage yield and quality of maize (Zea mays L.) with multi-species bacterial inoculation in Pakistan

Abstract

Seed inoculation with bacterial species has the potentialto increase yield and agro-qualitative attributes of forage crops.This study determined the response of forage maize to three plantgrowth promoting rhizobacteria [PGPR1 (Azotobacter chroococcum),PGPR2 (Pseudomonas flourescens) and PGPR3 (Bacillus megaterium)]inoculated individually and in different combinations (PGPR1+2,PGPR1+3, PGPR2+3 and PGPR1+2+3). A non-inoculated treatmentwas kept as a control. We used a completely randomized blockdesign with four replicates. The PGPR1+2+3 treatment showed anoutstanding performance by improving yield attributes, green forageyield, dry matter biomass, crude protein and total ash. The sametreatment gave the lowest crude fiber concentration. It was followedby PGPR2+3 which in turn was followed by PGPR1+2. Hence, ourstudy suggests that employment of multi-species bacterial inoculationis an effective technique to improve economical production andagro-qualitative attributes of forage maize.