Bioformulation Containing Cohorts of Ensifer adhaerens MSN12 and Bacillus cereus MEN8 for the Nutrient Enhancement of Cicer arietinum L.

Abstract

Here we examine the effects of different carrier based bioinoculants on the growth, yield and nutritional value of chickpea and on associated soil nutrients. A consortium of two taxonomically distinct endophytic bacteria—Ensifer adhaerens MSN12 and Bacillus cereus MEN8—have promising plant growth promoting (PGP) attributes. We demonstrate their delivery from the laboratory to the field via the formulation of an effective bioinoculant with economic and accessible carriers. Sugarcane straw ash (SCSA) was found to be an efficient carrier and bioformulation for enhancing viability and shelf-life of strains up to 12 months. A bioformulation containing an SCSA-based consortium (MSN12 + MEN8) increased seed germination by 7%, plant weight by 29%, length by 17%, seed-yield by 12%, harvesting index by 14% and proximate nutritional constituents by 20% over consortium treatment without SCSA. In addition, the bioformulation of post-harvest treated soil improved the physico-chemical properties of the soil in comparison to a pre-sowing SCSA-based bioformulation treated crop, being fortified in different proximate nutritional constituents including dry matter (30%), crude protein (45%), crude fiber (35%), and ether extract (40%) in comparison to the control. Principal component analysis and scattered matrix plots showed a positive correlation among the treatments, which also validates improvement in the soil nutrient components and proximate constituents by T6 treatment (MSN12 + MEN8 + SCSA). The above results suggest efficiency of SCSA not only as a carrier material but also to support microbial growth for adequate delivery of lab strains as a substitute for chemi-fertilizers.

Update of the list of qualified presumption of safety (QPS) recommended microbiological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA 19: Suitability of taxonomic units notified to EFSA until September 2023

“…New information concerns a biocatalytic activity (Castronovo et al, 2023). The presence of this species in the soil microbiome has also been reported associated with plant growth promoting effects (Baliyan et al, 2022;Hernández-Álvarez et al, 2022;Newberger et al, 2023). No safety concerns were reported.…”

Formulation and Evaluation of Sugarcane-Bagasse-Based Biocontrol Agents for Sustainable Phytopathogen Management

“…Water absorption capacity was determined using the method described by Norhasnan et al [14] and calculated using the following equation: where Wt is the sample's weight at a recorded immersion time, and W0 is the weight of the dried sample. Adhesion capacity was also determined according to the method of Baliyan et al [15].…”

“…where W t is the sample's weight at a recorded immersion time, and W 0 is the weight of the dried sample. Adhesion capacity was also determined according to the method of Baliyan et al [15].…”