Seed treatment with Azotobacter or mixed inoculation of Azotobacter and Azospirillum (25g/kg seed) could effectively subsitute 50% of recommended N needs of safflower amounting to 20 kg/ha under rainfed conditions in almost all the safflower growing regions of the country.

Seed treatment with PSB could effectively substitute 50% P recommendation of chickpea and seed treatment with Azotobacter/ Azospirillum and PSB could effectively substitute 50% N and P recommendation of safflower in chickpea-safflower rotation in drought prone areas of Maharashtra (Solapur).