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 A consortium of biofertilizers (Azotobacter chroococcum and Bacillus subtilis) was applied in conventional as well as organic matrix entrapped granular forms as sole nutrient source in two different doses for cultivation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. PBW-343). A double dose of conventional biofertilizers increased the growth of wheat plants as measured on 30, 60, 90, and 120 Days After Sowing (DAS) in terms of root and shoot length, number of roots and leaves, as well as fresh and dry weight of roots and leaves over the recommended dose (0.6 kg ha^-1) of the same biofertilizers. The entrapment of biofertilizers in an organic matrix further increased the efficacy of these biofertilizers over the non-entrapped conventional forms. An increase in the plant growth of wheat by application of higher dose of biofertilizers and entrapped biofertilizers was correlated to the availability of NO₃^-, NO₂^- and NH₄⁺ in the plant’s rhizosphere (0-15 cm) and its transport from soil to the plant leaves as well as productivity and yield of wheat in these experimental fields. The increase of 63.47 and 32.17% in wheat yield was recorded in 120-days old plants by the application of organic matrix entrapped biofertilizers in double dose over no fertilizers and un-entrapped biofertilizers in single dose. The results indicate that efficacy of biofertilizers can be enhanced by increasing the dose of biofertilizers and by providing suitable carriers to replace chemical fertilizers load for wheat cultivation with eco-friendly and organic nutrient technologies.

Keywords: Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus subtilis, Entrapped biofertilizers, Slow release fertilizers, Triticum aestivum L

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