Biofertilizer has been identified as an alternative to chemical fertilizer to increase soil fertility and crop production in
sustainable farming. The objective of this greenhouse study was to evaluate the effects of four biofertilizers containing an
arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus mosseae or Glomus intraradices) with or without N-fixer (Azotobacter chroococcum),
P solubilizer (Bacillus megaterium) and K solubilizer (Bacillus mucilaginous) on soil properties and the growth of Zea mays.
The application treatments included control (no fertilizer), chemical fertilizer, organic fertilizer and two types of biofertilizer.
The application of biofertilizer containing mycorrhizal fungus and three species of bacteria significantly increased the growth of
Z. mays. The use of biofertilizer (G. mosseae and three bacterial species) resulted in the highest biomass and seedling height.
This greenhouse study also indicated that half the amount of biofertilizer application had similar effects when compared with
organic fertilizer or chemical fertilizer treatments. Microbial inoculum not only increased the nutritional assimilation of plant
(total N, P and K), but also improved soil properties, such as organic matter content and total N in soil. The arbuscular
mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) had a higher root infection rate in the presence of bacterial inoculation. By contrast, the AMF seemed
to have an inhibiting effect on the P-solubilizing bacteria. The nutrient deficiency in soil resulted in a larger population of Nfixing
bacteria and higher colonization of AMF