Abstract

Efficacy of six indigenous nonsymbiotic free-living soil bacteria, namely, DS-1-20 (Stenotrophomonas sp Accession No. KY636360), DS-2-10 (Herbaspirillum sp Accession No. KX587468), DJ-1-22 (Burkholderia sp Accession No. KY 859855), DJ-1-3 (Burkholderia sp Accession No. KY 636359), TS-3-15 (Stenotrophomonas sp Accession No. KY631488), and AS-1-4 (Stenotrophomonas sp Accession No. KY636361) has evaluated in tea fields of North Bengal tea gardens for subsequent 2 years. The remarkable increase in yield (green leaf production) and plucking point comparable to the control is observed. Among the six strains so far tested the DS-2-10, i.e., a bacterium of the genus Herbaspirillum sp have showed a maximum response compare, to the other five strains in the context of green leaf production (145 kg in 1st year and 150.87 kg in 2nd year) and plucking point (88.75 in 1st year and 91 in the 2nd year) which are statistically significant (P < 0.001). It is evident from the result that the highest enhancement of green leaf production in the 1st and 2nd year with the use of biofertilizer in comparing to the control is 20.81%, and 25.40%, respectively. The antagonistic activity among the six isolated bacterial strains, DS-1-20 exhibit highest (24.6 mm diameter inhibition zone) positive response against Alternaria alternate, TS-3-15 and DS-1-20 showed highest (15.4 mm diameter inhibition zone) positive response against Fomes lamaensis, and DS-1-20 also showed positive response (15.5 mm diameter inhibition zone) against Phomopsis theicola.

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