Abstract

A pot culture experiment was conducted to assess the influence of different levels of acacia wood based Biochar with Azospirillum strain AZ 204 on the growth of maize variety PEHM5 in the black cotton soil. The results revealed that the addition of biochar to soil with Azospirillum inoculation significantly increased the plant-microbial responses and the nutrient status of both plant and amended soil. Azospirillum and total diazotrophs population in the rhizosphere significantly increased with Biochar application at all the stages of crop growth. Furthermore, a significant increase of the native mycorrhizal response to Biochar with Azospirillum application was also observed in terms of root colonization of maize.

Keywords: Azospirillum, Biochar, Maize, Mycorrhiza.