Integrated Application of Trichoderma Mixture and NPK Enhances the rice Productivity in Sodic Soil

Abstract

Abiotic stresses due to changing environmental conditions and intensive agriculture are causing soil salinity and sodicity leading to
soil deterioration. It directly affects nutrient availability and uptake and reduces plant productivity. The microorganisms are known to
improve the availability of nutrients in the soil and therefore, the present work aimed to maximize the use of applied fertilizers and boost
the productivity. The effects of the Trichoderma mixture (TrichoMix) and NPK on plant growth and rice yield in degraded land under
field conditions was studied. The abiotic stress tolerant Trichoderma strains comprising of T. koningiopsis (NBRI-PR5) and T. asperellum
(NBRI-K14) were used in the treatments (i) Control (Cont.), (ii) NPK, as per recommended dose (NPK100%) (iii) Trichoderma mixture (NBRIPR5+
NBRI-K14) (TrichoMix) (iv) TrichoMix + NPK50%. Significantly higher plant growth and yield (6.57q/h) was obtained in TrichoMix+
NPK50% treatment. The improvement in rice production in the treatment TrichoMix +NPK50% was ascribed to the significant changes in
soil physiochemical characteristics such as water holding capacity (35%), bulk density (40%), total organic carbon (42%), available N
(39%), P (44%), K (48%) and microbial biomass carbon (88%). The results conclude that the mixture of T. koningiopsis (NBRI-PR5) and T.
asperellum (NBRI-K14) may be recommended as sodic soil amendment to increase plant growth and yield in combination with chemical
fertilizers to support rice cultivation.