| Treatments | Azotobacter spp. colonies cfu∙gm−1 | ||
| 104 | 106 | 108 | |
| Control | 78.33a | 44a | 15.33a |
| Recommended dose 2.5 L/ha | 64a | 33a | 7a |
| High dose 5 L/ha | 20b | 5.67b | 0.33b |