Abstract

Application of a microbial consortium having plant growth promoting properties is an economical and environment friendly approach to increase plant growth and crop production yield and this approach can be further incorporated in the utilization of CETP sludge. In this context, this study was conducted to develop an effective consortium from microbial strains isolated from CETP sludge and paddy field soil. 17 bacterial and 8 fungal strains were isolated from both sludge and soil. On the basis of growth study and compatibility test, three bacterial and one fungal strain were selected for the preparation of microbial consortium. Moreover, the prepared consortium was assessed for its efficacy through seed germination method including various parameters. The obtained results confirmed that the seeds treated with microbial consortium showed enhanced seed germination rate and seedling growth hence, confirming the presence of plant growth promoting properties. Therefore, this consortium further can be used as bio-inoculant to increase the plant growth, crop productivity and utilization of sludge generated from CETPs after its treatment with bioinoculant.

Keywords: CETP sludge; Growth study; Compatibilty test; Microbial consortium; Seed germination