Optimization of biofertilizer production and its application in plants using pot culture technique

Abstract

Mass production of Bacillus thuringiensis A5-BRSC culture as biofertilizer, using cheap carbon sources revealed that mashed potato is the most effective carbon source followed by arrowroot and liquid waste of boiled rice. Biomass was mixed with charcoal, the carrier, and applied to the pots to study its plant growth stimulating effect using Abelmoschus esculentus as test plant. Biofertilizer inoculated plants showed high shoot and root length, high numbers of leaves, more numbers of fruits, increased fruit weight in comparison to control plants where no biofertilizer was inoculated. Microbial activity of biofertilizer in pot soil was studied by both soil dehydrogenase assay and carbon evolution method. Both of the study revealed that the biofertilizer is stable in soil condition up to 45 days.