Benefits of microbial fertilizer in interspecific interaction with textile sludges on cowpea in a Brazilian Ultisol and on wastes toxicity

Abstract

Abstract The lack of knowledge of the effects of jean textile sludge on microbial communities, plant growth and nutrition in tropical soils represents an important problem for using organic wastes for sustainable agriculture. The microbial fertilizer is produced from P and K in rocks plus sulfur with Acidithiobacillus bacteria, mixed with organic matter inoculated with selected diazotrophic bacteria (Beijerinckia indica) and Cunninghamella elegans, a fungus that contains chitosan and that may be an alternative to conventional fertilizers. The microbial fertilizer was applied in three doses and was compared with conventional soluble fertilizers, and the interactions with various textile sludges were observed. A greenhouse experiment was conducted as a factorial scheme (4x3) in a randomized block design, with 4 replicates. Multivariate analysis was used to identify the effects of the treatments on the environment, especially with respect to heavy metals. The microbial fertilizer showed similar effects compared to the conventional soluble fertilizers. The jean textile sludge provides positive effects when applied to cowpeas growing in a Brazilian Ultisol. We conclude that the microbial fertilizer improves the plant characteristics and may be a viable alternative to conventional fertilizer. Associated with the jean textile sludges, the microbial fertilizer promotes great effectiveness in the plant characteristics and provides positive results for sustainable agriculture.