Effect of heat-sterilization and EM (effective microorganisms) application on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in organic-amended sandy loam soil

Effective microorganisms (EM), a culture of coexisting beneficial microorganisms predominantly consisting of species of photosynthetic and lactic acid bacteria, yeast and actinomycetes, has been developed by Japanese Scientists. In the present study effect of soil sterilization on performance of a commercial EM biofertilizer (EM Bioab), in improving crop growth and yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied in two types of organic amendments viz. farmyard manure (FYM) and Triflorium alexandrinum L. green manure (GM). Plant vegetative and reproductive growth and grain yield was better in heat-sterilized than in nonsterilized soil. EM application resulted an insignificant increase in root and shoot dry biomass and grain yield in heat sterilized FYM amended soil while in heat sterilized GM amendment it caused a significant reduction in grain yield. In nonsterilized soils EM application suppressed root and shoot growth at vegetative stage and had insignificant effect at maturity. Effect was more pronounced in FYM than in GM amendment. In nonsterilized FYM amended soil grain yield was also declined by 41% due to EM application.