Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract. Prisillia RMA, Susilowati A, Solichatun. 2020. Screening of phosphate solubilizing bacteria from sugarcane plant rhizosphere as biofertilizer agent for sorghum growth (Sorghum bicolor). Asian J Trop Biotechnol 17: 1-10. The development of sorghum plants (Sorghum bicolor L.) in Indonesia is still lagging behind because only a few regions utilize it. Sorghum can be developed on marginal land. The low availability of nutrients in marginal land causes the land to require additional nutrients. Biofertilizer is a biological fertilizer that contains microorganisms that function as nutrient providers in the soil and encourage plant growth. This research was conducted with the stages of soil sampling, potential testing and screening to determine the solubilizing bacteria candidate for biofertilizer. Bacterial screening includes: bacterial identification, measurement of bacterial growth, and media pH test. The experimental design of biofertilizer application used a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of two factors: the first factor was the addition of phosphate solubilizing bacteria consisting of two levels, namely without bacteria and with phosphate solubilizing bacteria. The second factor was variations in the concentration of NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) fertilizer are 0, 25, 50 and 100% which are equivalent to 0; 0.625; 1,25 and 2,5 g NPK / plant. Observation of sorghum growth in the vegetative phase for 50 days and measurements of height, number of leaves, leaf color, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight of sorghum plants were analyzed by ANOVA and DMRT test levels of 5%. The results of this research, there were obtained seven isolates of phosphate solubilizing bacteria. Two isolates that potentially superior were BPF 5 and 12 I isolates, which would be developed as biofertilizers. The addition of BPF 5 and 12 I isolates combined with various NPK fertilizer concentrations significantly affected sorghum growth such as plant height, root length, fresh weight and dry weight compared to control treatments. Addition of BPF 12 I isolates with 0% and 25% fertilizer concentrations give better results to sorghum growth.