Background:
Productivity of paddy cultivated in the salt affected soils of coastal regions is very low. Apart from the genotype/ variety characteristics, low soil nutrient content, low fertilizer application and non- availability of nutrients to the plants are attributed to the low yield. One of the important reasons is inability of the rice to adapt the condition immediately after transplant or germination in the saline soils. Any technological intervention which improves the initial survival percentage and growth would improve the paddy yield. Technology Details:
Productivity of paddy cultivated in the salt affected soils of coastal regions is very low. One of the promising approaches to improve the productivity of paddy is to improve the soil biological activity that would indirectly help in nutrient mineralization, alleviation of salinity stress, lead to better crop establishment and production. Soil biological activity in salt affected soils can be improved by augmenting the saline tolerant plant growth promoting microorganisms. ICAR- CCARI identified a salt tolerant plant growth promoting bacterium and standardized the highly stable formulation; application of which improved the paddy yield. Bio-formulation of salt tolerant, plant growth promoting bacterium recommended for improving growth promotion in paddy cultivated in the saline areas of Coastal regions. Suitable formulation and method of application to rice crop are standardized and validated. The population of bacterium in the formulation is >108 CFUg-1 with the shelf life of at least 18 months. The formulation is recommended in paddy grown under saline soils and vegetable crops (Brinjal, tomato, chilli and cucumber), black pepper, fruit and plantation crop nurseries. Benefits of using Goa Bio-1 include, better nutrient mineralization; alleviation of salinity stress; better crop establishment; improved plant growth parameters, yield and soil biological activity.