Not AvailableSoil microorganisms play a crucial role in the maintenance of the ecosystem. Their diverse enzymatic machinery
facilitates the biogeochemical cycling of essential macro/micronutrients. Over the past two decades, significant
amount of research has been carried out on the application of nanocompounds in agricultural practices. Some
reports support the role of nanocompounds in enhancing crop productivity by providing essential nutrients to
plants or by exhibiting antimicrobial activities against different phytopathogens. Meagre information is available
on long term impact of agriusable nanocompounds along with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on mi crobial population of an agriculture field. In this study, attempts have been made to analyse the impact of
nanozeolite and nanochitosan (50 mg L− 1
) along with a bioinoculant (Bacillus sp.) on the bacterial community of
maize rhizosphere under field condition. Total bacterial counts, activities of soil health indicator enzymes and
total microbial diversity of the experimental maize rhizosphere were assessed using Illumina based high
throughput sequencing after 60 days of the experiment. Obtained results indicated higher bacterial diversity in
the treated soil than the control which corresponded to increased number of Operational Taxanomic Units
(OTUs). Combined treatment of bioinoculant and nanocompounds showed two fold increase in FDA (Fluorescein
diacetate hydrolysis), dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activity than the control. Presence of dominant
bacterial genera viz. Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Acidobacteria and Chloroflexi were observed in treated soil
sample. Combined treatment of Bacillus sp. and nanocompounds had a strong influence on the composition of
rhizospheric microbiota, diversity and richness. We propose that the application of nanocompounds along with a
potential bioinoculant is beneficial for the survival of rhizospheric bacterial population and soil health.Not Availabl
