EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF RHIZOBACTERIAL DIVERSITY ON POTATO CROP PERFORMANCE

Abstract

This study designed to estimate the impact of diverse rhizobacterial strains on potato (Solanum tuberosum) crop performance under field conditions. Experimental trials were conducted at AARI Faisalabad during the winter 2022-23. Trials were comprised of four rhizobacterial treatments control (no inoculation), R1, R2, R3 and R4 strains, with tetra replications. The growth parameters of potato measured included plant height, stems count, canopy spread. The yield parameters included average weight of tubers, total yield and tuber count. Furthermore, plant tissue nitrogen content was also assessed. Results discovered substantial enhancements in growth and yield in all rhizobacterial treatments equated to the control. Notably, the R2 strain validated the maximum increase in plant height (41.2 cm), stems (10.2 stems/plant), canopy (49.3 cm) and yield (15.2 tons/ha). Nitrogen was also expressively greater in plants treated with R2 (2.78%) equaled to the control (2.03%). These outcomes recommend that inoculating potato crops with rhizobacterial strains can augment tuber yield and nutrient uptake..