Azospirillum: It is an associative type of Micro organism capable of colonizing the root surface of the plant. By establishing a symbiotic associationship, it helps the plants in getting the nutrient ‘N’ (Nitrogen) from the atmosphere. It fixes the atmospheric nitrogen through the process of Biological Nitrogen Fixation and makes it available to the plants in an easily assimilable and utilizable form.
Seed Treatment: Seed required for 1 hectare treated with Azospirillum by adopting either seed dipping or seed coating methods. Use of the respective inoculums properly and instant sowing of the inoculated seeds with minimal waiting period between treatment and sowing are necessary to overcome undue loss of viability between inoculation and sowing.
Seedling Dipping: Azospirillum is mixed with sufficient quantity of water and field soil or organic fertilizer to form slurry and the seedling roots are immersed in the slurry for about 30 minutes so that the roots are well drenched with the slurry and the bacteria get attached to the roots. The seedlings are then either pricked or planted. In case enough organic fertilizer / field soil / form yard manure are not available, mixing Azospirillum with sufficient amount of water and then dipping the roots of the seedling can also be done.
Soil Application: Application of Bio-Fertilizer mixed with organic carrier and placing / applying it near the rhizosphere at optimal temperature and that between 15 to 20 days after the crop emergence, has been found to be very effective. Bio-fertilizer and organic manure mixture has to be applied uniformly in the soil and blended well into the soil to get the best effect.
Drip System: In places where drip irrigation system is in practice the liquid formulation of Azospirillum can be used 3 liters /ha in 500 liters of water.
Tree Treatments :Azospirillum is mixed with water in required and specified rate and applied nearer the feeder root zone/ nearer the trunk following pan irrigation, drip irrigation and the like. The treatment is done 2 or 3 times a year. The dosage of Azospirillum varies according to varieties, their age, and period of the crop, size of the tree, trunk and also the canopy of the trees.
Normally for fruit trees and ornamental trees, Azospirillum is applied near the root zone early in the season. The individual trees are treated with Azospirillum at the rate of 2 ml or 2 gm /liter of water and the application fluid is applied through irrigation system or directly in to the soil