Table 4 Bacterial counts (Log (cfu g^-1 dry soil)) in root rhizosphere and mycorrhizal colonization levels (%) in roots of soybean treated with biofertilizers alone or in combination under drought stress

Ck

Without NPK

7.740 g

5.680j

–

–

–

7.781j

5.725i

–

–

–

100% NPK

8.007e

5.994e-g

–

–

–

7.995gh

6.023ef

–

–

–

50% NPK

7.870f

5.870hi

–

–

–

7.902i

5.930 g

–

–

–

B. japonicum + 50% NPK

8.099de

6.085c-e

–

–

–

8.089ef

6.119c

–

–

–

Mycorrhiza + 50% NPK

8.163 cd

6.091 cd

85.0b

52.3a

41.2a

8.145de

6.111 cd

83.0b

50.2a

40.2a

Mixture + 50% NPK

8.175 cd

6.092 cd

90.0a

48.2b

38.1b

8.132ef

6.109 cd

90.0a

48.8b

39.7a

D1

Without NPK

7.861f

5.825i

–

–

–

8.002gh

5.839 h

–

–

–

100% NPK

8.240bc

6.040d-f

–

–

–

8.220 cd

6.047de

–

–

–

50% NPK

8.090de

5.946gh

–

–

–

8.156de

5.974 fg

–

–

–

B. japonicum + 50% NPK

8.479a

6.296a

–

–

–

8.418a

6.221b

–

–

–

Mycorrhiza + 50% NPK

8.472a

6.320a

75.3d

30.4e

24.8d

8.494a

6.340a

75.6e

31.3d

20.0c

Mixture + 50% NPK

8.457a

6.289a

73.6e

29.6f

20.0f

8.474a

6.309a

72.6f

28.6e

18.5d

Without NPK

7.869f

5.725j

–

–

–

7.824j

5.850 h

–

–

–

100% NPK

8.033e

5.979 fg

–

–

–

8.053 fg

6.026ef

–

–

–

50% NPK

7.905f

5.937gh

–

–

–

7.940hi

5.959 fg

–

–

–

B. japonicum + 50% NPK

8.321b

6.187b

–

–

–

8.280bc

6.152c

–

–

–

Mycorrhiza + 50% NPK

8.205c

6.152bc

80.0c

38.4c

27.82c

8.311b

6.283ab

80.0c

26.8f

26.0b

Mixture + 50% NPK

8.201c

6.187b

79.1c

33.4d

21.90e

8.227 cd

6.278ab

78.1d

33.8c

20.5c

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ns

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ns

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