Microbial Consortium Improved Growth and Performance of Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) in Nursery and Field Trials

The response of teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) to the selected microbial consortium (Ambispora leptoticha + Azotobacter chroococcum + Trichoderma harzianum) was evaluated through large-scale nursery trials at three locations in Mandya district of Karnataka state, India. At each location, there were 500 inoculated and 500 uninoculated seedlings, totaling to the maintenance of 3000 seedlings at three locations. The growth performance was evaluated 180 days after planting. The increase in plant dry weight of inoculated seedlings was 97% compared to uninoculated plants. The seedlings inoculated with the microbial consortium under large-scale nursery trials were planted in the wasteland at three locations, and their growth was evaluated for nearly 6 years. The biovolume index of inoculated plants was 289% more than uninoculated plants 73 months after out-planting. It can be concluded that the selected microbial consortium is the best for inoculating teak in forest nurseries.