Impact of Green Manure and Consortium Biofertilizer on Amylolytic Bacterial Population and Their Activities in Maize Rhizospheric Soil

Microbial population and their activities in soil are important measure of soil biological activities as well as its health. The present study was conducted to access the impact of application of green manure and cellulose degrading bacterial consortium on the soil amylolytic bacterial population and amylase activity in rhizosphere of maize crop in field conditions. Soil amylolytic bacteria and amylase activity exhibited significant changes in response to application of consortium biofertilizer. The highest population of amylolytic bacteria was recorded during vegetative stage of maize crop in treatment T8 with 100%N + green manure+ consortium biofertilizer. Amylolytic population was found to be significantly higher in treatments having inorganic N + consortium biofertilizers as compared to control treatment. Soil amylase activity was significantly influenced by organic manure and vegetative growth stage. Highest amylase activity was recorded in treatment T8, whereas minimum activity was recorded in control (inorganic) treatment. Application of consortium biofertilizers significantly increased the amylase activity over treatments having solitary application of inorganic fertilizers. The results suggested that application of consortium biofertilizers on green manure boosted the colonisation and activities of amylolytic bacteria which directly influenced the available carbon pool as well as soil health.