Azotobacter sp and Azospirillum sp. both are used as nitrogen fixing bio-fertilizer. I want to know which one is more effective in submerged paddy field condition?
As you know, Azotobacter is an aerobic microorganism, while Azospirillum is a microaerophilic, so in the submerged paddy fields it would be better to use Azospirillum.
For your information, Azospirillum works as a plant growth hormones producer more than as a nitrogen fixer.
Some results are available where application of Azotobacter chroococcum produced inspiring results in submerged paddy field condition.Does the air sacs produced by the paddy roots in submerged condition have any effect in case of nitrogen fixation or create any conducive environment for Azotobacter Chroococcum to accumulate as well as supply nitrogen to plants? I invite more discussion and valuable comments on the basis of field trials and observations in this subject.
Actually, you are stirring a good point where the paddy soils are not completely anaerobic, so the Azotobacter can also work under the paddy conditions.
You have to consider that many Azospirilla strains in anaerobic conditions are able to act as denitrifiers. In field experiments we were able to measure increased denitrification rates during rainy seasons. In dry seasons in Italy the same strains were able to increase root extension of Gramineae acting as hormone producers. This effect was not observed in rainy seasons.
Microaerophilic nature of Azospirillum will be more supporting for its activity under the paddy field. However depends upon the soil properties you can use see the activity of both strain simultaneously.