~ 672 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2017; 6(3): 672-676 E-ISSN: 2278-4136 P-ISSN: 2349-8234 JPP 2017; 6(3): 672-676 Received: 13-03-2017 Accepted: 14-04-2017 Pardeep Kumar Department of Soil Science and Water Management, Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India Jagriti Thakur Department of Soil Science and Water Management, Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India Mohit Department of Soil Science and Water Management, Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India Correspondence Pardeep Kumar Department of Soil Science and Water Management, Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India Effect of conjoint application of nutrient sources and PGPR on soil microbiological properties of cauliflower Pardeep Kumar, Jagriti Thakur and Mohit Abstract The present investigation entitled “Studies on conjoint application of nutrient sources and PGPR on microbiological properties of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) cv. Pusa Snowball K-1 was carried out at the Experimental Farm of Department of Soil Science and Water Management, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, (HP) during 2014-15 and 2015-16. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications comprising seven treatments viz. T1(100% NPK + FYM), T2(100% NPK + FYM+ PGPR), T3(100% NPK+ 50% FYM and 50% VC on N equivalence basis + PGPR), T4 (75% NPK+50% FYM and 50% VC on N equivalence basis), T5 (75% NPK+50% FYM and 50% VC on N equivalence basis+ PGPR), T6 (50% NPK+ 50% FYM and 50% VC on N equivalence basis) and T7 (50% NPK+ 50% FYM and 50% VC on N equivalence basis + PGPR). The seedlings were transplanted at a spacing of 60 x 45 cm in 3 x 2 m size plots. Conjoint use of fertilizers, manures and PGPR significantly influenced soil microbial properties of cauliflower crop. Treatment T3 resulted in significantly maximum microbiological properties which was found statiscally at par with T5. Keywords: INM, PGPR, VC, FYM, cauliflower, microbiological properties Introduction Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) a member of cruciferae is a commercial crop of table purpose vegetable and as a seed crop of Himachal Pradesh. The crop is native of Southern Europe in the Mediterranean region and was introduced in India from England in 1822 (Chatterjee and Swarup, 1972) [4] . Its white tender curds are used as vegetables, curries, soups and pickles. The popularity of the crop has been constantly increasing and at global level. Area under cauliflower production in India is 4,14,000 hectare with a production of 78,97,000 metric tons (Department of Agriculture, GOI, 2016). In Himachal Pradesh, it is grown throughout the year in different agro-climatic zones which brings remunerative returns to the small and marginal hill farmers. Among the different cultivars, snowball group is major contributor to give lucrative returns to the farmers of the state either from seed crop and/ or off season table purpose crop. Current trends in agriculture are focused on reduction in the use of chemical pesticides and inorganic fertilizers, compelling the search for alternatives that enhance environmental quality. For boosting crop production, nutrient balance in the soil is the key component. Agriculturist have been focusing their attention towards the efficient and judicious utilization of available resources to increase the total productivity and profitability per unit area to meet out the food and other demands of ever increasing population. At this juncture of time there is a need of eco-friendly, low cost renewable non-bulky source(s) of nutrients and biological antagonists to enhance the crop productivity and to sustain soil health. Microbial inoculants/ biofertilizers have emerged as a promising component of integrated plant nutrient management because of its manifold role in soil plant system. From the microbial point of view, soil is nutritional desert. Soil adjacent to roots (the rhizosphere) is relatively nutrient rich, because, depending on plant species, age and environmental conditions, as much as 40% of the photosynthates moving into roots are lost to the soil in the form of soluble exudates, mucilage, shed cells or cell wall material (Lynch and Whipps, 1991) [12] . Therefore, root zone harbour great microbial activity. Soil contains an array of microorganisms, some of them are beneficial like nitrogen fixers, phosphate solubilizers, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and some are harmful to plant growth like cyanide producing DRMO (Deleterious rhizosphere microorganisms) and other disease causing microorganisms. Populations of bacteria in the rhizosphere are enormous, ranging from 10 6 -10 12 cfu/g soil (Alexander, 1976) [1] . These rhizosphere residents are considered as passive by standards of the root environment, which affect plant health, development and environmental adaptations, both beneficially and detrimentally (Hornby, 1990) [8] .