Production of Bamboo Source Microbial Fertilizer and Evaluate Its Effect on Soil Organic Carbon Fractions in Moso Bamboo Plantations in South China

Abstract

Bamboo shoot processing wastewater (BBPW) is rich in organic matter and organic acids and can be used as a nutrient source for microbial growth and biofertilization. In this study, Pseudomonas K22-D and Terribacillus goriness CS3 were isolated from bamboo forest soil with plant growth-promoting properties. Biofertilizers were prepared by inoculating bacteria into BBPW, and the effects of their application in a bamboo forest were evaluated. The chemical oxygen demand, TOC, TN, and NH4-N contents decreased after inoculation, indicating that the bacteria were able to degrade macromolecules in BBPW. The BBPW biofertilizer produced by mixed bacteria (CS3 + K22-D) significantly improved the soil organic carbon and mineral-associated organic carbon content and reduced the pH, alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium content of the soils in the bamboo forest, which might be attributed to the high C:N ratio and microbial synergism in the biofertilizer and the fast growth period of bamboo shoots. Notably, the CS3 biofertilizer significantly increased soil-available phosphorus (90.25%), and the K22-D biofertilizer significantly decreased soil-available phosphorus (70.33%) compared with CK, suggesting that the presence of inorganic phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria can promote soil P. We believe that the return of inoculated bamboo shoot processing wastewater to bamboo plantations can be an eco-friendly, sustainable practice for bamboo forest management.