Microbial technology improved the biomass and root-shoot ratio of a multipurpose tree species: A potential biological solution for degraded agroforest ecosystems

Abstract

Poor soil health adversely affects farming and forestry sectors worldwide. Microbial fertilizers can improve the plant-soil continuum in degraded ecosystem. In this research, the soil microbiome, plant biomass and root-shoot ratio of 2 mo-old Bauhinia purpurea, transplanted on aseptic soil + sand mixture (1:1) upon inoculation with 5 g of AMF (MYKOCAP®, coded as MCAP and MYKORICH®, coded as MRICH), with or without NFB (Bio-NTM, coded as Bio-N) amendment, were investigated. B. purpurea (Fabaceae), is an important reforestation and fodder species for livestock. The total plant biomass ranged from 18.90 g - 23.33 g, and highest in MRICH. Root-shoot ratio in Bio-N (0.58) was 23.4% higher than the Control. MCAP and Bio-N had increased sporulation and root colonization and NFB communities, respectively. Spore count can explain 32.9% change in primary roots biomass (p=0.013, r2=0.573), while root colonization can explain the 28.3% (p=0.023, r2=0.532), 47.9% (p=0.001, r2=0.692), 48.7% (p=0.001, r2=0.698), 26.5% (p=0.029, r2=0.514), and 39.4% (p=0.005, r2=0.628) change in total biomass, stem biomass, shoot biomass, primary roots biomass, and root biomass, respectively. Microbial fertilizers had increased the biomass and root-shoot ratio of B. purpurea, 90 days after inoculation. Microbial technology and multipurpose tree-based agroforestry are promising biological solutions for degraded agroforest ecosystems.