Organic Carrier-Based Inoculant of Bacillus and Azotobacter Consortium

Abstract

The use of biofertilizer is introduced for supporting soil health in sustainable agriculture. Spore-forming Bacillus and cyste-forming Azoto bacter are plant growt promoting rhizo bacteria which resist to dried soil. The purpose of the experiment was to select the particle size and water content of organic matter as well as concentration of zeolite for formulation of Bacillus-Azotobacter solid inoculant. The experiment consisted of two stages which set up in completely randomized design. Treatments of the first experiment were particle size and water content of composted cow manure; while the second one were the concentration of zeolite and liquid bacterial consortium. For both experiments, the formulated solid biofertilizer of Bacillus subtilis, B. megaterium, A. chroococcum and A. vinelandii then was analyzed for spore of Bacillus and vegetative cell of Azotobacter at 7, 14 and 28. Acidity and Electrical conductivity measurement of carrier-based multi-strain inoculant was performed at the end of second experiment.  The results showed that no different bacterial growth up to 28 days in either 100 mesh or 200 mesh composted cow manure. Compost water content of 15% and 10% decreased population of Bacillus spore and Azotobacter.  Solid carrier enrichment by use of 1% or 5% zeolite might be effective to enhance spore up to 1011 CFU/g and maintain Azotobacter cell viability up to 108 CFU/g. This study suggest that cow manure compost and zeolite may be used for Bacillus-Azotobacter solid biofertilizer.