Effect of biofertilizer on soil fertility and lettuce nutrition

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of the application of efficient microorganisms (EM), in the form of a biofertilizer, on soil fertility and leaf nutrition of lettuce during two crop cycles. One of the biggest challenges of organic production is the fertilization of crops. EMs are considered an alternative, sustainable, safe and low-cost technique to increase the productivity of organic foods, and their use is a good option for agroecological management. For the capture of the EMs and the production of the biofertilizer, a rice substrate was used, according to the methodology used by Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Cattle and Supplying (MAPA, in Portuguese: Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento). Soil samples were collected at the beginning of the first cycle and at the end of the second cycle. The samples were sent for chemical analysis, in order to evaluate possible changes in the concentration of Ca, Mg, K, P and Zn, as well as the levels of CTC, base saturation, organic matter and pH. For leaf analysis, leaf concentrations of the following nutrients were observed: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu Fe, Mn, Zn. The results were satisfactory for the treatment that received weekly application of efficient microorganisms, which resulted in a greater increase of the elements K, Zn and Ca in the soil. As for leaf concentrations, there was a significant difference for N and P (48 and 9.2 g kg-1, respectively) in the treatment used with biofertilizer.

Biofertilizers Improve the Plant Growth, Yield, and Mineral Concentration of Lettuce and Broccoli

“…Lal et al [50] observed that Azotobacter and PSB (phosphate solubilizing bacteria) treatments increased the zinc content in broccoli, and this increase was equivalent to that of chemical fertilizer treatment. In another study, it was reported that biofertilizer-containing microorganisms increased microelements in lettuce plants [51]. According to Altuntaş [38], the B. subtilis strain QST 713 increased the Zn content in broccoli compared to the control.…”

Local Beneficial Microorganisms Impact Carbon and Nitrogen Mineralization in a Lixisol Incubated with Organic Waste Products

“…The impacts of BM inputs on soil quality and crop production have been documented in the literature. The findings highlighted beneficial effects related to BM application, such as (i) increased beneficial soil microorganism abundance and diversity [39]; (ii) improved soil structure [40]; (iii) increased soil nutrient content (e.g., potassium, calcium, and zinc) [41]; (iv) elimination of soilborne pathogens and diseases [42,43]; (v) enhanced plant growth and development [44,45]; and (vi) increased crop yield and quality [46,47]. In addition, certain microbial communities in BM can decompose soil organic matter [48,49].…”