Abstract
BackgroundPlant-associated microbes (endophytes) have a significant relationship to enhance plant growth and crop productivity by producing proficient bioactive metabolites. Since endophytes promoted plant growth either directly by releasing active metabolites such as phytohormones or indirectly by suppressing the growth of phytopathogens, so, in this work, biomass yield of local endophytic Trichoderma harzianum was maximized at shake-flask scale and scaled up via 7-L Bioflo310 fermenter using continuous exponential fed-batch fermentation mode. Subsequently, the effect of these cells as bio-fertilizer was assessed using two-barley grain genotypes (Russian and Egyptian seeds) via an intelligent hydroponic system based on Internet of Things (IoT). ResultsTo reduce the cost of a biomass production line, agro-waste media containing potato, onion, garlic, pea, and cabbage peels were chosen as the culturing medium. The pea peel medium was found to be the best producer of biomass (2.2 g/L). The cultivation factors were evaluated to improve this biomass yield. The results showed that the maximum biomass production (4.9 g/L) was reported by adjusting the medium pH at 5.0 that inoculated with 10% of spore suspension, then incubated at 30°C, and 200 rpm. Then, this biomass yield was scaled up kinetically (505.4 g/L) by using exponential fed-batch fermentation mode via a 7-L bioreactor. The stimulation impacts of this endophytic T. harzianum on the growth of different barley genotypes (Russian and Egyptian seeds) were determined using a controlled hydroponic chamber. The total chlorophyll, carotenoid, and carbohydrate amounts in treated Russian showed the proficient stimulation percentage (81.05, 80, 40.8%) compared to the Egyptian barley groups (76.39, 73.5, 25.9%) respectively. Also, the maximum carbohydrate content (83.95 ± 1.7%) was recorded in the case of Russian barley. ConclusionVia this work, the optimal combination conditions for the cost-effective biomass production of endophytic T. harzianum were designed industrially via a fed-batch fermentation system using the cheapest culturing medium. Furthermore, by applying this promising bio-fertilizer, the total cost of barley production via an IoT hydroponic growing system was reduced. Besides, these animal diets (sprouted barley) could be produced in 3 cycles per month.
Highlights
Plant-associated microbes have a significant relationship to enhance plant growth and crop productivity by producing proficient bioactive metabolites
Cultivation of endophytic T. harzianum using agro-wastes In this work, cost-effective large-scale mass production can be achieved by using agro-wastes as carbon and nitrogen sources for fungal cultivation
These results show significantly (P ≤ 0.05) highest mass production was recorded by using pea peel (2.2 g/L) followed by onion peel (1.5 g/L) and potato peel (1.4 g/L) via submerged fermentation mode
Summary
Plant-associated microbes (endophytes) have a significant relationship to enhance plant growth and crop productivity by producing proficient bioactive metabolites. Plant-associated microbes that live asymptomatically are called endophytes These microorganisms play a key role in enhancing plant growth and crop productivity by generating high-quality bioactive metabolites [1,2,3]. Several studies have studied the impacts of microbial bio-fertilizers on crop productivity and soil fertility enhancement through several pathways, such as nitrogen fixation, solubilization of phosphates, and critical nutrient accumulation Several microorganisms, such as Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Trichoderma spp., have been identified and evaluated to enhance various crop yields and to suppress phytopathogens using open field conditions [8,9,10]. A majority of enterprises have implemented a submerged fermentation method because some microbial cells were cultured using soluble carbon and nitrogen sources that were mixed with inducer supplementations In this system, all microbial cultivation and condition parameters were managed and monitored automatically using bioreactor software [18]. The impacts of endophytic T. harzianum as bio-fertilizer are assessed using twobarley grain genotypes (Russian and Egyptian seeds) via an intelligent hydroponic system based on IoT
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