1. INTRODUCTION
Biofertilizer recommended for rice include, Azospirillum plus Phosphate Solubilizers, Cyanobacteria and Azolla. For direct seeded rice bacterial biofertilizer can be applied as seed treatment, however for transplanted rice, seedling root dip method is widely followed. Cyanobacterial biofertilizer can be applied in irrigated rice by broadcast method. Azolla biofertilizer can be applied as green manure or dual cropping with rice.

2. BIOFERTILIZER APPLICATION IN RICE
BIOFERTILIZER RECOMMENDATION
AZOSPIRILLUM
&
PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZER

3. SEED TREATMENT FOR DIRECT SEEDED RICE
Keep the seeds required for sowing one acre in a heap on a clean cemented floor or gunny bag.
Prepare culture suspension by mixing one packet {200g} each of Azospirillum and PSB biofertilizer in approx. 800 ml water {1:2}
Sprinkle the culture suspension on the heap of the seeds and mix by hand so that thin coating is uniformly applied to the seeds.
Spread the seeds under shade for sometime for drying and then sow.
In place of water, rice glue { Kanji} can also be used for better results

4. SEEDLING ROOT DIP METHOD FOR TRANSPLANTED RICE
Prepare the suspension by mixing l kg {5 packets} each culture of Azospirillum and PSB in litres of water.
Get the rice seedlings required for one acre and make small bundles of seedlings.
Dip the seedlings root in the suspension for 8-10 hrs and transplant immediately.
Generally, the ratio of inoculant and water is 1:10
Prepare a bed of size 2 m x 1.5 m 0.15 m in the field
Spread a polythene sheet and fill upto 2 inches water
Suspend 2 kg each of Azospirillum and PSB culture required for one hectare & mix
Dip roots of rice seedling for 8-10 hrs. and transplant
ALTERNATELY

5. ROOT DIP METHOD FOR RICE
ADD AZOTOBACTER
AND PSB IN WATER
MAKE SLURRY AND
MIX THOROUGHLY
DIP SEEDLINGS
FOR 8-10 HOURS
TRANSPLANT
IN MAIN FIELD

6. Cyanobacterial Biofertilizer for rice
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Broadcast 10 kg soil based culture/ha days after transplanting of rice seedlings
Maintain sufficient water (5 –10 cm) for 15 days
A thick algal mat is formed at 15 days
Drain off water and allow algal mat to settle

7. Azolla biofertilizer for rice
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Incorporate as green manure before transplanting of rice ( 500 kg/ha)
Dual culture with rice 7 days after transplanting & allow to multiply and incorporate (500 kg/ha)

8. LET US SUM UP
Biofertilizer recommended for rice include, Azospirillum plus Phosphate Solubilizers, Cyanobacteria and Azolla.
For direct seeded rice bacterial biofertilizer can be applied as seed treatment.
For transplanted rice, seedling root dip method is widely followed.
contd…

9. contd…
Cyanobacterial biofertilizer can be applied in irrigated rice by broadcast method.
Azolla biofertilizer can be applied as green manure or dual cropping with rice.

10. ASSESSMENT Q. State true or false :
i) Combined application of Azospirillum and Phosphate Solubilizers are recommended for bacterial biofertilizer in rice
ii) BGA and Azolla are exclusively used for wetland rice
iii) Azolla can be applied as green manure and dual cropping with rice
iv) Glue or kanji gives better results for bacterial adherence to the seed coat.

11. ASSESSMENT
Model Answers :
i) True
ii) True
iii) True
iv) True

12. REFERENCES i) Bio-fertilizer and Organic Farming – NIIR Board
ii) Biofertilizers in Agriculture – N. S. Subba Rao
iii) Biofertilizers
(Potentialities and Problems) – S. P. Sen and P. Palit