Effect of Azotobacter and Chemical Phosphorus Fertilizer on Maize

To study the effects of phosphorus and Azotobacter on yield of maize, a factorial experiment was carried out based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Astara, north of Iran, in 2012. The treatments were phosphorus fertilizer rates (0, 62.5, 125, 187.5 and 250 kg P2O5 ha^-1) and seed treatment (inoculated with Azotobacter Vinelandii and uninoculated). The analysis of variance indicated that phosphorus fertilizer improved significantly grain yield. Because of non significant effect of two factors, the average of data across two conditions of inoculated and uninoculated with Azotobacter Vinelandii was used for drawing the graph. For nitrogen content in grain the interaction effects of two factor was significant and the graph drawn separately. The effects of Azotobacter were significant on nitrogen concentrations in grain and ear length. Phosphorus at the rate of 187.5 kg ha^-1 was the optimum rate to cause a desirable increase in grain yield, thousand grain weights, biological yield, leaf area index, nitrogen content in grain, grain P uptake and ear length. Overall, utilization of biological nitrogen with chemical phosphorus fertilizer could be a strategy to achieve sustainable agriculture.