Abstract
Biofertilizer can be defined as preparation that contains microbes capable of nitrogen (N)-fixation and phosphate solubilization that promote plant growth. These groups of microbes, classified as Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB), colonize the rhizosphere and the soil. In this work, liquid biofertilizer was produced from whole orange, banana and grape, wheat and rice chaff, Moringa oleifera leaves, soil, and brown sugar (as carbon source) mixed with water and cultured in an anaerobic condition for two weeks. The sieved culture was stored in a tightly sealed PVC container at room temperature for biochemical analysis of microbial population. Nitrogen fixing bacteria (Azotobacter sp.) and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria were isolated using Ashby’s Mannitol Azotobacter medium and Pisvikoya’s PSB medium respectively, while Bacillus sp. was isolated using Bacillus agar. Field experiment was carried out to investigate the performance rates of the biofertilizer against those of the Nitrogen/Phosphorus/Potassium (NPK) chemical fertilizer and the control, on the growth of corn (Zea mays). The experimental design consisted of three treatments of the Biofertilizer, Chemical fertilizer (NPK) and Control, conducted in three replicates. Data collected were analyzed using one-way ANOVA at P
Highlights
Fertilizers play an important role in agricultural system mainly in increasing yield
The results showed significant improvement in growth and yield of maize on which biofertilizer was applied as against those treated with NPK and the Control
This group of microorganisms is known as plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB), some of which promote plant growth by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and solubilizing phosphorus
Summary
Fertilizers play an important role in agricultural system mainly in increasing yield. Excessive application of chemical fertilizers has resulted in adverse environmental impacts and ecological challenges [2] [3] Some of these negative impacts include: water body pollution/eutrophication and algal bloom, land degradation, food and food crop-products contamination, adverse human health effects, greenhouse effect/ozone layer depletion and general imbalance of the ecosystem [4]. Biofertilizer is any substance which contains living microorganisms that can inhabit the rhizosphere or soil and promotes the growth of plant by promoting the availability of the primary plant nutrient when applied to the soil, surface of plant or seed [14] [15] [16], on the other hand, described biofertilizer as materials that include manure and plant extracts which contain microorganisms that promote plant growth This group of microorganisms is known as plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB), some of which promote plant growth by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and solubilizing phosphorus. The experiment was conducted at Isu-Aniocha, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria
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