Vol. 9, Issue 4, Part A (2025)

Rice is a staple food crop for millions of people worldwide, and improving its yield and disease resistance is essential for food security. Zinco rice, a variety appreciated for its high zinc content value, is increasingly grown in various rice-producing regions. However, diseases like rice blast (Magnaporthe oryzae) and bacterial blight (Xanthomonas oryzae) often limit its productivity. This study examines the impact of Pseudomonas fluorescens, a beneficial bacterium, on rice cultivation by comparing it with traditional farmer practices. A study was conducted in the five adopted villages viz. Achhola, Paraswani, Birkoni, Barbaspur and Saradih in Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh, under the Biotech-KISAN (Krishi Innovation Science Application Network) project by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mahasamund. The primary objectives were to evaluate disease control efficiency, growth enhancement, and yield improvements, along with an economic assessment. The results demonstrated that the application of P. fluorescens significantly reduced disease incidence, improved plant growth, and increased both grain by 15.3% and straw yield by 12.1% compared to conventional methods. Furthermore, the intervention showed higher profitability through improved net income as Rs. 60298/- and a better benefit-cost (B: C) ratio i.e. 1.6. These findings suggest that integrating P. fluorescens into rice farming offers a sustainable, economically viable alternative to chemical-intensive practices.