Integrated Nutrient Management under North Western Himalayas

The present investigations were conducted at Research Farm, Soil Microbiology Laboratory of Department of Soil Science and Water Management and RHRS-Bajaura, Kullu, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh develop an effective inoculum of PGPR with multifarious plant growth promoting activities to overcome problems of deficiencies of nitrogen, low availability of phosphorus and sensitivity of the crop to soil borne pathogens. The present studies, therefore suggests that PGPR are able to induce the production of IAA, solubilization of phosphorus and resistance to soil borne pathogens, thereby improv¬ing growth of plants. The conjoint use of PGPR inoculants with optimum doses of chemical fertilizers seems to be an efficient approach to reduce the use of chemical inputs (fertilizers and pesticides) for enhanced growth and yield without impairing the soil health for sustainable cauliflower cultivation under North Western Himalayas.