Effects of inoculation of Azospirillum sp. in maize seeds under field conditions

Two field experiments were performed to examine the effects of inoculation of Azospirillum sp. RAM-7 and RAM-5 strains on maize Cargil909. The treatments involved inoculation with or without different levels of nitrogen (N) and control. Simple seed inoculation with Azospirillum sp. RAM-7 strain increased yields as compared to control, but the yield difference was not significant (p<0.05). The inoculation along with high level of N resulted significantly higher yields and increase in total N and total lipids contents of the seed in comparison to the control. Increase in the yield of maize with the application of inoculant over control was recorded at N 150 kg ha -1 The inoculation of Azospirillum sp. RAM-5 in maize Cargill-909 also increased yield as compared to the control, but the difference was not significant (p<0.05). The inoculation using Azospirillum sp. RAM-7 or RAM-5 strains reduced 40% of the amount of N fertilizer recommended for each experiment (p<0.05).