Impact of bioinoculants and chemical fertilizers on soil properties of garlic (Allium sativum) cv. solan selection

The field experiment was conducted at the Vegetable Research Farm of the Department of Vegetable Science, Dr. YSP UHF, Nauni, Solan during the Rabi seasons of 2023-2024. The garlic cultivar Solan Selection was used to study the impact of chemical fertilizers combined with bioinoculants on the soil properties of garlic (Allium sativum) in a randomized complete block design with seven treatments and three replications. The treatments included combinations of B. licheniformis and B. pumilis at 10 ml per plant with 100% and 75% recommended doses of nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P). Individual treatments of B. licheniformis and B. pumilis @ 10 ml per plant and the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) were also included. Various soil parameters, such as soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium and viable count were observed. The results indicated that the 100% recommended dose of N & P + B. licheniformis @ 10 ml/plant resulted in a minimum soil pH, maximum electrical conductivity, organic carbon content, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and viable count of fungi, bacteria, and actinomycetes under mid-hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh. Challenges faced during conducting research is variability in soil microbial communities and environmental conditions, which can influence the consistency and reproducibility of results