The present investigation was carried out with the objectives to evaluate the efficacy of thirteen short listed Arthrobacter isolates under field conditions with special reference to germination, photosynthetic activity, yield, nodulation characters and nutrient uptake by soybean. Field evaluation was done during kharif 2015-16 at Research Field of Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, JNKVV, Jabalpur, M.P. Outcome of the experimental findings revealed that most of the isolates showed their role for early seed germination at 4^th and 6^th days after sowing (DAS). A visual difference on early germination was noticed in the inoculated plots as compared to fertilizer un-inoculated isolates (FUI). Maximum chlorophyll content was recorded with isolate AR2 (2.25 mg/g fresh leaf) which was 25% higher to FUI (1.80 mg/g fresh leaf). Maximum number of nodules (28/ plant) were formed by isolates AR2 and it was 33% higher to FUI followed by AR4, AR9 and AR1 isolates. On considering the grain and straw yield after harvest it was observed that out of 13 Arthrobacter isolates only three were able to contribute significantly towards grain yield over FUI and these isolates were AR2, AR4, AR7_. It was maximum (1658 kg/ha) with isolate AR2. It was found that total N, P and K uptake by crop was enhanced due to Arthrobacter seed inoculation but looking to significance of isolates over FUI, AR2 and AR7 significantly increased the total N, P and K uptake by crop over FUI. Average performance due to different isolates was 33, 27.9 and 24.8% more over FUI respectively.  Looking to over all responses of thirteen isolates it was found that isolate AR2 performed best followed by AR4, AR7 and AR8.

Download this article as