Abstract:
The experiment was carried out to evaluate the performance of urea and bio-fertilizers in clay
loam soil on the paddy crop (Bg-251) grown by using different fertilizer sources including two
types of bio-fertilizer; azolla (symbiotic relationship with Anabaena), and azotobacter, and urea
as a chemical fertilizer. Fertilizers were added to treatments based no recommended level of
fertilizer for paddy crop by the Department of Agriculture. The treatments including
recommended dose nitrogen applied in T1 - 100% of bio-fertilizer (azolla), T2 - 100% of bio fertilizer (azotobacter), T3 – 100% of urea, T4 - 50% of bio-fertilizer (azolla) + 50% of bio fertilizer (azotobacter), T5 – 50% of bio-fertilizer (azolla) + 50% of urea, T6 - 50% of bio fertilizer (azotobacter) + 50% of urea and T7 - control (No fertilizer). The experiment was
devised in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The results revealed the
soil electrical conductivity (EC) and soil organic matter content were significantly different
among treatment at 30 and 45 days after sowing (p < 0.05). The highest soil EC was recorded in
azolla + azotobacter treatment at 30 days after sowing and sole azotobacter treatment at 45
days after sowing. The highest organic matter content was recorded in both sole azolla and sole
azotobacter treatment at 45 days after sowing. According to the results, it can be concluded that
application of bio-fertilizer increased soil organic matter content and soil EC. Therefore, bio fertilizer could be used as alternative source for chemical ferti
