Abstract :The objective of conducting this study was to evaluate the ability of P-solubilizing fungi and phosphorus levels on
growth, yield and nutrient content in maize. The field experiment was conducted to test the effect of P-solubilizing fungus
Penicillium bilaji and Penicillium spp. on the availability of applied P-fertilizer in calcareous soil at MARS, University of
Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad during rabi/summer season of 2009-10. Seed inoculation with phosphorus solubilizing fungi
(PSFs) along with P2O5 levels significantly influenced plant height, number of leaves per plant, dry matter production, cob
length, grain weight per cob, 1000 grain weight, grain yield and tissue nutrient content (N, P, K, Zn and Fe) at tasseling of
leaves and harvest of whole plant and P uptake at harvest. Stover yield was not significantly influenced by various treatments.
Higher growth and yield of maize were achieved when P-solubilizing fungi treated along with 100 % RD P2O5 application
compared to 0 and 50 % RD P2O5. It is concluded that single and dual inoculation along with P-fertilizer gave 20-23 per cent
higher maize yield over control