EFFECT OF AZOTOBACTER AND AZOSPIRILLUM INOCULATION UNDER GRADED-LEVELS OF NITROGEN ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SUGARCANE (SACCHARUM-OFFICINARUM)

A field experiment conducted during 1990-91 to 1992-93 with sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) indicated that application of graded levels of nitrogen along with inoculation of 2 cultures increased the cane a nd sugar yields to the extent of 7.30 and 0.78 m tons/ha respectively compared with the uninoculated control. The germination, tillering, nu mber of millable canes, girth and cane height were also improved due t o Azotobacter and Azospirillum culture combination. Maximum response w as observed in Azotobacter + Azospirillum culture with nitrogen. There was a saving of fertilizer N to the extent of 25-50 kg/ha and improve ment in soil properties.