Effect of Phosphorus and Phosphorus-Solubilizing Bacteria on Soil PSB Population and Acid Phosphatase Enzyme Activity in Soybean

Abstract

A pot study was carried out during the kharif season of 2022 under net house conditions at the Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, to evaluate the influence of phosphorus and phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on soil phosphorus availability, yield, and nutrient uptake in soybean. The experiment was arranged in a factorial completely randomized design with three replications, comprising 16 treatment combinations involving four levels of phosphorus (0, 40, 60, and 80 kg ha⁻¹) and four levels of PSB (0, 1, 2, and 3 L ha⁻¹). The results indicated that acid phosphatase activity at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS) as well as at harvest increased significantly with phosphorus application up to 80 kg ha⁻¹ and PSB application at 3 L ha⁻¹and the lowest was recorded in control that is T1 treatment. The application of PSB at 3 L ha⁻¹ significantly enhanced the PSB population in the soil at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, and at harvest, whereas phosphorus levels did not show a significant effect on PSB population. The combined application of phosphorus at 80 kg ha⁻¹ along with PSB at 3 L ha⁻¹ recorded the highest and statistically significant acid phosphatase activity at 30 DAS, 60 DAS, and at harvest.