Bio-Fertilizers via Co-Digestion: a Review

In diversifying the economies of most oil producing countries especially in regions with arable lands, Agriculture becomes the next choice aside mineral deposits. This has led to a search for an alternative to inorganic fertilizers, the alternatives are the biofertilizers. The paper discussed the classification of the anaerobic co-digestion process based on the application of inoculants to the biodigester feedstock to speed up the digestion process and the absence of inoculants. Biodigester feedstock also looked at the various mechanisms in the digestion process which includes hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis, and methanogenesis, the pathways were illustrated with chemical equations and various microorganisms that take part in the anaerobic process were mentioned and tabulated. The types of biofertilizers, merits, and demerits, the difference between biofertilizers and organic fertilizers were comprehensively discussed. Current trends on the application of the co-digestion technique to improve the yield, nutrient, and safety of biofertilizers and also the recent progression on the technique were mentioned

EVALUATION OF COST EFFECTIVE ORGANIC FERTILIZERS

Organic farming/products are becoming very necessary in today’s world to control ecosystem health and to impart related human health benefits, world over there is growing demand for organic produce. A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Kilpest India Ltd., Bhopal, during 2009 on rice using BGA Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Nostoc muscorum and biological hydrolysate of Soybean .These treatments were compared with recommended dose of Fytozyme. Currently, fytozyme (40% chemically hydrolysed protein solution) is being used as organic fertilizer world over which was taken as positive control. Cost of all the organic amendments were considered and kept at par with the Fytozyme. Results revealed a significant increase in growth parameters and straw yield in plot treated with Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Grain yield was also higher in C. pyrenoidosa (3.35 t/ha) followed by Fytozyme (3.05 t/ha) and Nostoc as well as biological Soy hydrolysate (both 2.81 t/ha). Thus concluding a better viable organic product

Assessment of Biofertilizer Quality and Health Implications of Anaerobic Digestion Effluent of Cow Dung and Chicken Droppings

Anaerobic digestate have been identified as a rich source of essential plant nutrients. Nevertheless, its safety measured by the concentration of pathogen present is of great concern to end users. This research explored the efficiency of the mesophilic biodigestion process in the stabilization and sanitization of cow dung and chicken droppings. Six (6) kg each of cow dung and chicken droppings were collected fresh and free from impurities, pre-fermented, mixed with water in the ratio 1:1 w/v to form slurry, fed into the respective reactors and digested for 30 days at an average ambient temperature of 30 � 2 �C. The pH of the medium fluctuated between 6.5 and 8.0. The analysis of the feedstock and effluent of the digesters showed that a total solids reduction of 75.3% and 60.1% were recorded for cow dung and chicken droppings while the reduction in total coliforms was 95% and 70% respectively for the dung and droppings. Microbial analysis of the biofertilizer produced reveals both aerobic and anaerobic organisms which include species of Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Clostridium, Bacillus, Bacteroides, Salmonella, Penicillum and Aspergillus. Escherichia coli and Shigella spp. were removed while species of Salmonella and Klebsiella were still present in the digestate. Notwithstanding these results, the digestate still requires further treatment for it to be suitable for application on unrestricted crops either as fertilizer; otherwise a health problem would be created as attempt is made to improve soil fertilit

Response of Sunflower Yield and Phytohormonal Changes to Azotobacter,Azospirillum,Pseudomonas and Animal Manure in a Chemical Free Agroecosystem

There are new trends in agriculture to move toward the low input systems with the lower application of chemical fertilizers. To reach this goal, different methods, such as the application of biofertilizers, may be used. So this experiment was conducted in 2010 at a research farm in Arak, Iran, in factorial in the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications and four factors: animal manure (M), Pseudomonas putida (P), Azotobacter chroococcum (A)and Azospirillum lipoferum (Z). Results indicated that manure significantly affected grain yield (P≤0.01); the highest grain yield was achieved in the interaction of manure × Azotobacter × Pseudomonas (4.556 ton/ha). Grain yield was not significantly affected by the microorganisms. Moreover, the four factors of the experiment significantly affected auxin, gibberellin and cytokinin content of plant. Overall, this experiment indicated that desirable yield can be achieved by the application of manure and biofertilizers, in a sustainable agriculture

Effect of biofertilizers and neem oil on the entomopathogenic fungi beauveria bassiana (Bals.) vuill. and metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) sorok.

The in vitro fungitoxic effect of three biofertilizers, E.M.-4, Multibion Ô and Supermagro used in organic agriculture and the neem oil (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) on the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana was studied. These products were mixed in a medium where the two fungi were inoculated, and germination, vegetative growth and conidiogenesis were assessed. The biofertilizers Supermagro and E.M.- 4 showed to be less toxic for the two fungi whereas MultibionÔ caused major inhibition on M. anisopliae, with reductions in germination (-37.74%), colony diameter (-30.26%) and conidiogenesis (-42.62%). Neem oil promoted a larger negative effect on B. bassiana, inhibiting germination (-45.27%), colony diameter (-36.62%) and conidiogenesis (-84.93%)

Residual influence of organic materials, crop residues, and biofertilizers on performance of succeeding mung bean in an organic rice-based cropping system

The present investigation was undertaken to assess the residual influence of organic materials and biofertilizers applied to rice and wheat on yield, nutrient status, and economics of succeeding mung bean in an organic cropping system. The field experiments were carried out on the research farm of IARI, New Delhi during crop cycles of 2006 to 2007 and 2007 to 2008 to study the effects of residual organic manures, crop residues, and biofertilizers applied to rice and wheat on the performance of succeeding mung bean. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. Treatments consisted of six combinations of different residual organic materials, and biofertilizers included residual farmyard manure (FYM) and vermicompost (VC) applied on nitrogen basis at 60 kg ha-1 to each rice and wheat crops, FYM + wheat and rice residues at 6 t ha-1 and mung bean residue at 3 t ha-1 in succeeding crops (CR), VC + CR, FYM + CR + biofertilizers (B), VC + CR + B, and control (no fertilizer applied). For biofertilizers, cellulolytic culture, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and Rhizobium applied in mung bean. Results Incorporation of crop residue significantly increased the grain yield of mung bean over residual of FYM and VC by 25.5% and 26.5%, respectively. The combinations of FYM + CR + B and VC + RR + B resulted in the highest increase growth and yield attributing characters of mung bean and increased grain yield of mung bean over the control by 47% and net return by 27%. Conclusions The present study thus indicate that a combination of FYM + CR + B and VC + CR + B were economical for the nutrient need of mung bean in organic farming of rice-based cropping system

Entwicklung eines schnellen Bio-Tests zur Untersuchung des Wirkungs-potentials von mikrobiellen Pflanzenstärkungsmitteln

Plant-growth-promoting soil microorganisms are increasingly distributed on the world market. Nutrient mobilization, stimulation of root growth, enhanced resistance to envi-ronmental stress factors are discussed as possible mechanisms. These assumptions are based only on scarce scientific evidence due to limited reproducibility of pot and field experiments, limited information concerning the conditions for successful applica-tion, limited standardization of inoculum preparation and quality. Thus, the develop-ment of rapid screening tests is to demonstrate the principle effectiveness of biofertil-izers prior to set-up of labourous pot or field experiments is urgently required. In this study, a rapid bio-test with cucumber (Cucumis sativa L.) as an indicator plant was developed to evaluate the effectiveness of five commercial biofertilizers based on Trichoderma spp. and Bacillus spp. (Biohealth-G, Biohealth-WSG, Biomex, Vitalin T50 and SP11) using germination rate, root and shoot biomass, maximum root length, and leaf area as test parameters. The experiment was repeated twice with 6 replicates in hydroponic culture under controlled conditions (pH 5.5, 22° C; Light: 230 mmol cm2 sec-1). Biofertilizers were applied at the rate of 3 g per 2.5 l mineral nutrient solution. Germination rate was increased by 20 - 25% in all biofertilizer treatments compared to the control. After 2 weeks culture period, root dry weight and leaf area of Biohealth-G, Vitalin T50, SP-11 and Biomex-treated cucumber seedlings were significantly in-creased. Biohealth-G and Vitalin T50 showed significantly higher main root length and Biohealth-G higher shoot dry weight than the remaining treatments, while Biohealth-WSG did not cause differences compared to untreated control plants. The pathogen-antagonistic potential of Trichoderma strains can be easily tested by co-inoculation with the pathogenic fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis on malt extract peptone agar plates. The results suggest that the activity potential of different Trichoderma-based biofertilizers could be easily screened by using the described bio-test with cucumber seedlings

Pomegranate transplant stress can be ameliorated by rhizophagus intraradices under nursery management

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) establish an obligate mutualistic symbiosis with many plant species, increasing the uptake of phosphorous and other low-mobile nutrients by roots. In addition, AMF improve biotic and abiotic stress tolerance of host plants. Under these conditions, reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase occasional damage to proteins, lipids and DNA. Antioxidative enzymes in plants can play an important role in detoxifying ROS, thereby alleviating oxidative stress. In nursery practices, plants are subjected at least to two transplant conditions before being transplanted outside. It is important to achieve an optimal plant size to withstand environmental or other stresses when plants are transplanted into the field. The transplantation process can be considered a stress because plants have to adapt to new abiotic and biotic (rhizospheric) conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two Rhizophagus intraradices (N.C. Schenck & G.S. Sm.) C. Walker & A. Schüßler strains, GA5 and GC2, single and co-inoculated under two-transplant soil conditions, sterile and non-sterile, using cuttings of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) as a model plant. These results showed that the GA5 single strain-inoculated plants improved growth and antioxidative enzyme responses to two transplant stress conditions. In conclusion, early mycorrhizal inoculation generates healthy plants that are more protected against environmental conditions, thereby improving plant transplant stress tolerance.Fil: Bompadre, Maria Josefina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Colombo, Roxana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Silvani, Vanesa Analia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez Bidondo, Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Pardo, Alejandro Guillermo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Micología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Ocampo, Juan Antonio. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Estación Experimental del Zaidín; EspañaFil: Godeas, Alicia Margarita. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; Argentin

EVALUATION OF ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF ANAEROBIC DIGESTATE AND ITS EFFECT ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE

Pakistan is an agricultural country. The increased population leads to increasing demand for food. Unfortunately, crops are infected by different microbes and nutrient deficiency of soil adversely affects the yield of the crop. Furthermore, the use of chemical fertilizers like Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium (NPK), Urea, Diammonium phosphate (DAP) and pesticides have environmental consequences. Therefore, so there is need to find alternative renewable and sustainable biofertilizers