Optimization of conditions for the production of indole acetic acid by Azotobacter spp.
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Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Umaru Musa Yar'adua University
Abstract
The use of chemical fertilizers in crop production has detrimental
effects such as soil acidity and eutrophication. There is need for
environmentally friendly approach in improving soil nutrients and
agricultural productivity. This study aimed at the isolation of
Azotobacter spp from the rhizosphere of crops and the use of
these isolates as biofertilizer for the growth of potted maize plants
under 5 treatments. These treatments were maize plant only
(control), plant with once application of NPK fertilizer, plants with
once, weekly and fortnights application of Azotobacter spp. as bio inoculants. The counts of Azotobacter obtained from the
rhizosphere of the crops ranged from 4.0 × 104 – 1.0 × 106 CFU/g.
The three high ranking in-vitro biological nitrogen fixing and
phosphate solubilization isolates were identified A. chroococcum,
A. vinelandii and A. beijerinckii. At the 7th weeks of growth, 83.3
and 100% of the plants that received different levels of bio inoculants had the perimeter of their girths greater than and
significantly different from the controls when cultivated in 8.1 and
12.0 litre pots respectively. At least 91.7% of the plants that
received bio-inoculants had higher heights than the controls. It is
concluded that the application of Azotobacter bio-inoculants
enhanced the growth of maize plants compared to the controls.
Description
Keywords
Pot cultivation, Plant growth promoting, Phosphate solubilization, Nitrogen fixation.
Citation
Sule et al., 2023