Abstract
Nitrogen fixing potential in terms of acetylene reducing activity (ARA) and biomass accumulation (in terms of chlorophyll) were investigated using surface and below-surface soil cores, collected from rice fields 45 and 90 days after transplanting (DAT). Treatments included different levels of urea (30, 60, 90 and 120 kg N ha−1) in combination with inoculation using blue green algae (BGA) and Azolla biofertilizers. Application of biofertilizers brought about a significant enhancement in chlorophyll accumulation and nitrogenase activity, when measured 45 DAT. Positive effects in below-surface soil cores, on both these parameters as a result of application of biofertilizers further emphasized their contribution to the N economy of rice fields. Plots treated with 30 and 60 kg N ha–1 along with biofertilizers exhibited the highest percentage increase in terms of algal biomass and ARA, both in surface and below-surface soil cores at 45 DAT. A definite need to examine critically the nature and metabolic activities of below-surface microflora is highlighted through our investigation.
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The authors thank the Department of Biotechnology, and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India, New Delhi for providing financial assistance.
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Nayak, S., Prasanna, R., Pabby, A. et al. Effect of urea, blue green algae and Azolla on nitrogen fixation and chlorophyll accumulation in soil under rice. Biol Fertil Soils 40, 67–72 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-004-0738-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-004-0738-2