Biofertilizers : investigating the plant growth-promoting ability and mode of action of a novel PGPR using biochar as an inoculum carrier

Abstract

The rise in the World’s population has forced us to employ hasty plant growth-promoting products such as chemical fertilizers and agrochemicals, to meet up with the rising demands of food production. These products have had detrimental effects on the environment. To reduce the harmful effects of these synthetic products, scientists are now exploring more sustainable alternatives such as biofertilizers. This project evaluates the effectiveness of a novel plant growth-promoting bacteria <i>Fictibacillus enclensis</i> on plant growth.<br> This study has shown that <i>F. enclensis</i> promotes plant growth in peppers, barley, carrots. It also led to an increase in nitrogen content of bush beans. <i>Fictibacillus enclensis</i> has been shown to affect the barley root system by shortening the root length, while encouraging root hair growth. <i>Fictibacillus enclensis</i> was not found to produce the protein ACC deaminase and has little to no synergistic effect on plant growth when coupled with <i>Stenotrophomonas rhizophila</i>.