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Water stress is one of the critical abiotic stresses and limiting factors in the productivity of plants, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. In recent years, the application of bio-fertilizer and stress-modulating nanoparticles (NPs) is known as one of the eco-friendly strategies for improving plants quantity and quality under stressful conditions. In order to achieve the desirable essential oil (EO) quality and quantity of thyme in water deficit conditions, a 2-year field experiment was carried out as a split plot based on the randomized complete block design (RCBD), with 12 treatments and three replications. The treatments included different irrigation levels, containing irrigation at 80% field capacity (FC80) as no stress, 60% FC as moderate water stress (FC60) and 40% FC as severe water stress (FC40), as well as four different fertilizer sources, including non-application of fertilizer (control), application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), chitosan NPs (CHT) and co-application of AMF+CHT NPs. The results demonstrated that the dry yield of thyme decreased by 13% and 40.3% under FC60 and FC40 water stress conditions. However, co-application of AMF+CHT NPs enhanced the dry yield of thyme by 21.7% in comparison to the control (non-application of fertilizer). The maximum EO content (2.03%) and EO yield (10.04 g 7 g m−2) of thyme were obtained under moderate water stress (FC60) fertilized with AMF+CHT NPs. Co-application of AMF+CHT NPs enhanced the EO content and EO yield of thyme by 17.1% and 42.7%, respectively. Based on the GC-MS and GC-FID analysis, 38 constituents were identified in the thyme EO, with the major constituents being thymol (35.64–41.31%), p-cymene (16.35–19.38%), γ-terpinene (12.61–13.98%) and carvacrol (2.78–3.93%) respectively. The highest content of thymol and γ-terpinene was obtained under moderate water stress (FC60) fertilized with AMF+CHT NPs. In addition, the highest content of p-cymene and carvacrol was observed in the severe water stress (FC40) fertilized with AMF+CHT NPs. The present research suggests that the co-application of AMF+CHT NPs represents a sustainable and eco-friendly strategy for improving the EO quantity and quality of thyme under water stress conditions.

The issue of managing organic waste such as animal waste and industrial waste has emerged as a result of the fast development in urbanization around the world. It can be hazardous to the environment and public health if these are not properly stored, collected, and disposed of. These biological wastes can be turned into nutrient-rich biofertilizers using the vermicomposting process. The bio-oxidative method includes the combined activity of earthworms and microbes. The pH, organic carbon, organic matter, and the C:N ratio of the various organic waste mixtures showed a declining tendency during this process but the content of nitrogen, available phosphorous and exchangeable potassium showed a rising trend as the vermicomposting time progressed. Maximum earthworm growth and reproduction were reported better in different feed materials prepared from industrial wastes. Therefore, the present review article is based on the knowledge of using earthworms to stabilize waste.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to to produce vermiwash and vermicompost using organic waste material and study its effect on the growth, development and yield of tomato plants(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) in field condition. Method The experiment was carried out in two phases: the production of vermicompost followed by vermiwash using Eisenia foetida earthworms and the cultivation of tomato plants using the same. In the first phase of production of vermicompost, three types of organic waste (dry grass clippings, dry neem leaves and a combination of dry grass clippings and dry neem leaves) were utilized with three replications. The second phase consisted of a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with four treatments and three replications in the field condition. The treatments were control (C), vermicompost (V), vermiwash (W) and a combination of vermicompost and vermiwash (VW).ResultsThe results revealed that the vermicompost produced had a dark color, finely divided peat-like material, with desirable soil odor and a fine smooth texture and an adequate nutritional value, which was confirmed to have good quality. The vermiwash produced from the different vermicomposting bins was brownish colour liquid and had all the essential macro and micro-nutrients. The combination of vermicompost and vermiwash (0.05 kg + 0.05 l) significantly (p < 0.05) resulted in the highest yield followed by vermiwash (0.1 l) and vermicompost (0.1 kg).Conclusion The combination of vermicompost and vermiwash as a bio-fertilizer had a positive effect on the plant growth parameters and production of the tomato plants.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) involves the breakdown of a substrate by mixed microbial communities in the absence of free oxygen. This process has many benefits leading to the production of bioenergy (biogas) and fertilizers (bio-fertilizers). Unfortunately, the bio-fertilizer made using AD may be contaminated with weed seeds and may have the potential of infesting the fields to which it is applied. Thus, the goal of this study is to determine the effects of AD on seed germination and viability of two undesirable crop plants (Triticum aestivum and Sorghum bicolor) and four weed species of reclaimed agricultural land near Qena, Egypt (Schouwia purpurea, Polygonum equisetiforme, Amaranthus viridis, and Lotus arabicus). Vegetative biomass of T. aestivum was used as the substrate, and cattle rumen fluid was used as the inoculum. The seeds of the six plants were placed in culture bottles and subjected to AD at 37 ± 2 °C for up to 16 days. Time to first germination (the time required for the first seed to germinate) and the percentage of seeds that germinated varied among the six species. The percentage germination of all six species decreased with increasing duration of AD, with no seeds germinating at 12 or 16 days of incubation. Seeds of T. aestivum and S. bicolor experienced a rapid and significant decrease in the percentage of viable seeds and an increase in the percentage of non-viable seeds. In contrast, even though they did not germinate, some seeds of the other four weed species remained viable, even after 16 days of incubation. Approximately 32% of S. purpurea seeds remained viable at 16 days of incubation. Overall, our results suggested that the application of anaerobic digestate in the reclaimed agricultural lands near Qena, Egypt, is not likely to exacerbate weed infestations in these fields.

Asia-Pacific Journal of Science and Technology, 28, 1, 9

In this study, the energy, exergy and yield is calculated for two cultivars of quinoa (Sajama and Titicaca) production. The result shows that the energy consumption, exergy consumption, energy efficiency, and exergy efficiency for producing quinoa are calculated to be 10,932.34 MJ/ton, 14,6940 MJ/ton, 141.32% and 15.9% in Sajama cultivar and 6,442.42 MJ/ton, 98,243.6 MJ/ton, 215.3% and 20.6% in Titicaca cultivar, respectively. The grain yield of Titicaca cultivar is higher, although its growth duration is less as compared to Sajama cultivar. The combined application of bio-fertilizer with chemical fertilizers give the highest growth duration, grain yield, 1000-seed weight, biological yield and harvest index, when compared with the sole application of fertilizer and no fertilizer. Nitrogen fertilizer consumes the highest amount of total energy inputs followed by irrigation water and diesel fuel for quinoa production. About 97.5% of total input exergy consumed in quinoa production is water irrigation. Thus, it is clear that decrease in the use of irrigation water decreases the environmental impact and increases sustainability and vice versa. In pursuit of sustainable agriculture goals, Titicaca cultivar could be introduced as advanced cultivar in saline and drought stressed fields as a crop with high potential yield and nutritional value.

withdrawn, ISSN 1310-0351 - print ISSN 2534-983X - online E-mail: bjas.sb2022@gmail.com

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Withdrawn, ISSN 1310-0351 - print ISSN 2534-983X - online E-mail: bjas.sb2022@gmail.com

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Maize is an important staple crop and a significant source of various nutrients. We aimed to determine the macronutrients, antioxidants, and essential elements in maize genotypes (white, yellow, and red kernel) using three different fertilizers, which could be used as a basis to increase the nutrient density of maize. The fertilizer treatments used bio- and organic fertilizers as a sustainable approach, urea, as a commonly used mineral fertilizer, and the control (no fertilization). We evaluated the yield, concentration of macronutrient (protein, oil, and starch), nonenzymatic antioxidants (phenolics, yellow pigment, total glutathione (GSH), and phytic phosphorus), and reduction capacity of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, as well as essential elements that are commonly deficient in the diet (Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and S) and their relationships with phytic acid. The genotype expressed the strongest effect on the variability of grain yield and the analyzed grain constituents. The red-kernel hybrid showed the greatest accumulation of protein, oil, phenolics, and essential elements (Ca, Fe, Cu, and S) than a yellow and white hybrid, especially in the biofertilizer treatment. The yellow kernel had the highest concentrations of yellow pigment, GSH, phytic phosphorous, Mg, Mn, and Zn (19.61 µg g−1, 1,134 nmol g−1, 2.63 mg g−1, 1,963 µg g−1, 11.7 µg g−1, and 33.9 µg g−1, respectively). The white kernel had a greater starch concentration (2.5% higher than that in the red hybrid) and the potential bioavailability of essential metals, particularly under no fertilization. This supports the significance of white maize as a staple food in many traditional diets across the world. Urea was important for the enhancement of the antioxidant status (with 88.0% reduction capacity for the DPPH radical) and increased potential Zn bioavailability in the maize kernels (13.3% higher than that in the biofertilizer treatment). This study underlines the differences in the yield potential and chemical composition of red, yellow, and white-kernel maize and their importance as a necessary part of a sustainable human diet. This information can help determine the most appropriate genotype based on the antioxidants and/or essential elements targeted for kernel improvement.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of bacterial bio-fertilization A. chroococcum and P. putide and four levels of compost (0, 1, 2, 3) tons.h-1 on the leaves content of N.P.K elements. The experiment was carried out in one of the greenhouses of the College of Agriculture - University of Al-Qadisiyah during fall season 2018-2019. It designed in accordance with the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates in sandy loam soil. The means of treatments were compared with the least significant difference (LSD) at (5)% probability level. The results present that the treatments of A. chroococcum, P. putide and compost at (3) tons.kg-1 significantly increases the leaves content of K.P.K compared to all other treatments in the flowering stage (4.970, 0.5000, and 4.930) mg.kg-1, respectively. This treatment was followed by the effect of the treatment of A. chroococcum and compost at (3) tons.kg-1, which increases the values of all traits except the leaf content of (P). Bio-fertilizer with P. putide + A. chroococcum significantly increases the leaves' content of P.

Two separate field experiments were conducted in 2018 and 2019 as split-plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications to evaluate physiological responses of rapeseed to fertilization treatments (control, chemical fertilizer, inoculation of seeds with PGPR, vermicompost and combined fertilizers) under different irrigation levels (irrigation after 70,100, 130, and 160 mm evaporation). Water stress increased the activities of catalase, polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase and the contents of proline, soluble sugars and malondialdehyde and also leaf temperature, but decreased membrane stability index, chlorophyll content, leaf water content, stomatal conductance and grain yield. Application of fertilizers particularly combined fertilizers decreased proline content and leaf temperature, but increased the antioxidant enzymes activities, soluble sugars, chlorophyll content, leaf water content, membrane stability index, and stomatal conductance under different irrigation intervals. These superiorities of fertilization treatments were led to considerable improvement in grain yield. The results revealed that the combined fertilizer application improved most of the physiological parameters. It was deducted that the application of combined fertilizers reduced chemical fertilizer by about 67% and alleviated the deleterious effects of water limitation on field performance of rapeseed. Keyword: Antioxidant enzymes, Bio-fertilizer, Chlorophyll content, Drought, Vermicompost

Exploring environmentally eco-friendly approaches to enhance crop growth and productivity are essential for sustainable agriculture. Therefore, a field trial was conducted during two growing seasons to study the effects of synthetic (nitrogen, N; phosphorus, P; and potassium, K), biogas digestate (BioD), bio-fertilizer (BioF), and their combinations on the growth, yield, and seed quality of faba bean (Vicia faba L.). The number of treatments was seven, as follows: control (zero NPK), NPK (30 kg N ha−1; 45 kg P2O5 ha−1: 48 kg K2O ha−1) as the recommended dose, BioD (2 t ha−1), BioF (plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria; 1 kg ha−1), 50% NPK + 50% BioD, 50% NPK + 50% BioF, and 50% BioD + 50% BioF. The results indicated that all fertilizer sources and their combinations improved the growth, seed yield, and quality of faba bean. However, the highest increase in plant height, leaf area, dry leaf weight, and stem dry weight of faba bean was recorded for the combined application of 50% BioD + 50% BioF. Moreover, the BioD +BioF fertilization enhanced the number of branches, number of seeds, 100 seed weight, and seed yield of faba bean. Similarly, BioD + BioF fertilization enhanced the total chlorophyll and N, P, and K contents of faba bean leaves. BioD fertilization also increased seed quality traits such as N, P, protein, and carbohydrate contents. The outcomes of BioD + BioF fertilization on growth yield and quality parameters of faba bean suggest that the concurrent application of biogas digestate with bio-fertilizer can reduce synthetic fertilizers.

Biogas production from manure is attractive to support plans towards a circular economy as it allows for renewable energy production and nutrient recycling in agriculture. Finding optimal locations for biogas plants, which minimize transport distances to and from farms, while accounting for multiple feasibility constraints, remains a challenge. We developed 1 km2 spatially-explicit datasets for known feasibility constraints such as distance to housing, compatible land-use zoning, and the presence of roads with sufficient weight bearing capacity. These datasets were used to improve the realism of an optimization model designed to minimize transportation costs in Sweden. At a national level, the presence of durable enough roads most limited the number of suitable locations for a plant. We further focused our analysis on a case study region where a company wanted to invest in a new manure-based biogas plant. In contrast to the national level, the constraint for remaining at least 500 m from housing/buildings had the greatest limiting impact, excluding 71% of grids in the Sjo center dot bo or Tomelilla municipalities of Southern Sweden. Still, we identified 105 suitable locations for a new biogas plant. The most suitable location, accounting for feasibility and minimized transportation costs, changed when simultaneously accounting for another proposed plant in a neighboring municipality. Our results indicate that utilizing both local and national datasets can help narrow down potential biogas development sites and that long-term planning is necessary for actors with ambitions to build several plants to minimize costs and maximize energy and nutrient recycling benefits. Funding Agencies|Swedish Council for Sustainable Development (Formas) [942-2016-69, 2019-02221]; Biogas Research Center at Link oping University

There are a substantial number of studies on the biofertilization effects of cyanobacteria in rice paddy fields, mainly attributed to biological fixation of N2, but not much attention has been given to their fertilizing capacity in aerobic soils. Few studies have used solid media (i.e. a soil) when testing the plant-growth-promoting effects of microalgae on plants, and particularly on wheat. The purpose of this study was to test the biofertilizing effect of a filamentous cyanobacterium, previously isolated from an agricultural soil, in order to evaluate the potential substitution of chemical fertilizers and to test its phyto-stimulating capacity. Seedlings of Triticum aestivum were grown in pots with a peat-vermiculite mixture (1:1 weight basis) in an experiment designed as a complete randomized block, consisting of four treatments and with four replicates each: a pure culture of Anabaena cylindrica concentrated by centrifugation to 2 g dry matter L−1 (treatment B); spent cyanobacteria growth medium filtered at 0.22 µm (treatment F); harvested cyanobacterial mat re-suspended in distilled water (treatment WB); and distilled water as a control (treatment W). Aboveground wheat plant mass was improved by 40% in both treatments with cyanobacterial biomass (B and WB), as compared to the control (W) and filtrate (F), demonstrating that the co-cultivation with living cyanobacterial biomass was key to plant improvement. Chlorophyll contents were also increased by nearly 50% and nitrogen by over 10% in the treatment WB, clearly indicating that nutrients in the filtrate were irrelevant to the beneficial effects on plant growth., This work was financed by LIFE13 ENV/ES/001251 EU Project. Rajaa Kholssi benefits from a grant of the AECID (Foreign Office of Spanish Government).

A pot culture experiment was carried out and to the find out the effect of Rhizobium, Phosphobacteria and Root Nodule extract on the vegetative growth and biochemical changes in Black gram and Maize. The Black gram and Maize is vegetative parameters such as seed germination, shoot and root length, leaf fresh weight, leafs dry weight, shoot and root dry weight had analyzed and biochemical studies of both Black gram and Maize was carried such as total chlorophyll content, leave soluble protein and in vivo nitrate reductase activity. Among microbial inoculants, the Rhizobium + PB mixer was found most effective in terms of seed germination, shoot and root length, leaf fresh weight, leafs dry weight, shoot and root dry weight and also showed increase total chlorophyll content, soluble protein and nitrate activities in both Black gram and Maize.

The behaviour of a locally isolated diazotrophic consortium was investigated with the prospect of agricultural applications. A repeatable culture was obtained in a non-sterile bioreactor. Metagenomic analysis indicated Chryseobacterium ssp. and Flavobacterium ssp. were the dominant species, making up approximately 50% of the microbial community. The oxygen supply was varied and mass-transfer limited growth was attained under all experimental conditions. Negligible amounts of aqueous metabolites were formed, indicating a high selectivity towards biomass production. High oxygen availability resulted in decreased growth efficiencies i.e., the specific energy requirements for biomass synthesis. This was attributed to reduced electron transport chain efficiencies and nitrogenase protection mechanisms. Mass and energy balances indicated that sessile biomass with a high C:N served as a carbon sink. The most efficient growth was measured at an aeration feed composition of 21% oxygen and 79% nitrogen. The study presents one of the only known investigations of operational conditions on diazotrophic growth in a non-sterile bioreactor. In addition, it provides a strong foundation for the development of a Biological Nitrogen Fixation process with scaling potential.

Biofertilizers containing living organisms are attractive because of their potential positive impact on plant growth and reduced environmental effect compared to mineral fertilizers. Many studies have reported the potential of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and cyanobacteria, applied singly or in combination. In the present study, the combined effect of PGPR and cyanobacteria on Triticum aestivum L. was examined in a hydroponic growth system. Calothrix sp. and Anabaena cylindrica were used as cyanobacterial strains, and Chryseobacterium balustinum, Pseudomonas simiae and Pseudomonas fluorescens were used as PGPR strains. In addition to growth parameters, total nutrients in each treatment and the ability to produce indole acetic acid (IAA) were measured after 17 days of treatments. The study results indicate that the consortium of the five isolates gave the best performance in terms of growth parameters. It increased by 36% for plant height in the combination of Calothrix sp. and P. simiae, and the dry shoot mass was increased by 80%, 77%, and 76% under the combinations of A. cylindrica with C. balustinum, P. simiae, and P. fluorescens, respectively. The ability to produce IAA was confirmed in the treatments with cyanobacteria, with PGPR strains, and in treatments combining the different microorganisms, using both colorimetric and chromatographic methods. Thus, biofertilizers containing the consortia cyanobacteria and PGPR used in this study are recommended for improved growth of wheat plants., This work was financed by LIFE13 ENV/ES/001251 EU Project. Rajaa Kholssi benefits from a grant of the AECID (Foreign Office of Spanish Government).

Robusta coffee is a major commercial crop in the Central Highland of Vietnam with high economic and export value. However, this crop is adversely affected by various pathogens, particularly nematodes. This study aimed to screen active anti-nematode rhizobacterial strains for sustainable coffee production. Among more than 200 isolates, the isolate TUN03 demonstrated efficient biocontrol with nearly 100% mortality of J2 coffee nematodes Meloidogyne spp. and 84% inhibition of nematode egg hatching. This active strain was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa TUN03 based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analysis. In greenhouse tests, the strain TUN03 significantly reduced the coffee nematode population in the rhizome-soil with an 83.23% inhibition rate and showed plant growth-promoting effects. Notably, this is the first report of the nematicidal effect of P. aeruginosa against coffee nematodes. This potent strain further showed an antifungal effect against various crop-pathogenic fungi and was found to be the most effective against Fusarium solani F04 (isolated from coffee roots) with a 70.51% inhibition rate. In addition, high-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that this bacterial strain also secretes plant growth regulators including indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA3), kinetin, and zeatin in significant amounts of 100, 2700, 37, and 9.5 µg/mL, respectively. The data from this study suggest that P. aeruginosa TUN03 may be a potential biocontrol agent and biofertilizer for the sustainable production of Robusta coffee and other crops.

A field trail was conducted at South Port Said, Egypt, during the two successive summer seasons of 2013 and 2014 to study the physiological response of rice Giza 178 cultivar grown under saline soil conditions to decreasing the mineral nitrogen fertilizer from 145 to 72 or 107 kg N/ha with adding bio-fertilizers i.e. yeast extract, azolla, blue green alga and Rizobium rizobacter. Results indicated that plant height, leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), photosynthetic pigments, dehydrogenase activity (DHA), soluble sugars, antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD)], potassium content, panicle length, panicle weight, 1000- grain weight, grain and straw yields were increased when plants received 107 kg N/ha plus spraying yeast extract, followed by adding azolla, then blue green alga and Rizobium rizobacter without significant difference with the treatment of 145 kg N/ha. While, significant increases were recorded in proline, sodium contents, and sodium/potassium ratio in leaves when plants received 72 Kg N/ha with Rizobium rizobacter followed by blue green alga then azolla and finally yeast extract as compared with other treatments.

Rice production in Ghana has become unsustainable due to the extremely nutrient-poor soils. It is caused by inadequate soil fertility management, including the inefficient application of fertilizers. A practical solution could be the biofertilizers, Azospirillum sp. B510. We performed field trials in Ghana and Japan to compare the effects of B510 colonization on selected Ghanaian rice varieties grown. The B510 inoculation significantly enhanced the rice cultivars’ growth and yield. The phenotypic characteristics observed in rice varieties Exbaika, Ex-Boako, AgraRice, and Amankwatia were mainly short length and high tillering capacity. These features are attributed to the host plant (cv. Nipponbare), from which the strain B510 was isolated. Furthermore, Azospirillum species has been identified as the dominant colonizing bacterium of rice rhizosphere across a diverse range of agroecologies in all major rice-growing regions in Ghana. Our results suggest that the utilization of B510 as a bio-fertilizer presents a promising way to improve rice growth, enhance soil fertility, and sustain rice productivity in Ghana.

Background Plant-associated microbes (endophytes) have a significant relationship to enhance plant growth and crop productivity by producing proficient bioactive metabolites. Since endophytes promoted plant growth either directly by releasing active metabolites such as phytohormones or indirectly by suppressing the growth of phytopathogens, so, in this work, biomass yield of local endophytic Trichoderma harzianum was maximized at shake-flask scale and scaled up via 7-L Bioflo310 fermenter using continuous exponential fed-batch fermentation mode. Subsequently, the effect of these cells as bio-fertilizer was assessed using two-barley grain genotypes (Russian and Egyptian seeds) via an intelligent hydroponic system based on Internet of Things (IoT). Results To reduce the cost of a biomass production line, agro-waste media containing potato, onion, garlic, pea, and cabbage peels were chosen as the culturing medium. The pea peel medium was found to be the best producer of biomass (2.2 g/L). The cultivation factors were evaluated to improve this biomass yield. The results showed that the maximum biomass production (4.9 g/L) was reported by adjusting the medium pH at 5.0 that inoculated with 10% of spore suspension, then incubated at 30°C, and 200 rpm. Then, this biomass yield was scaled up kinetically (505.4 g/L) by using exponential fed-batch fermentation mode via a 7-L bioreactor. The stimulation impacts of this endophytic T. harzianum on the growth of different barley genotypes (Russian and Egyptian seeds) were determined using a controlled hydroponic chamber. The total chlorophyll, carotenoid, and carbohydrate amounts in treated Russian showed the proficient stimulation percentage (81.05, 80, 40.8%) compared to the Egyptian barley groups (76.39, 73.5, 25.9%) respectively. Also, the maximum carbohydrate content (83.95 ± 1.7%) was recorded in the case of Russian barley. Conclusion Via this work, the optimal combination conditions for the cost-effective biomass production of endophytic T. harzianum were designed industrially via a fed-batch fermentation system using the cheapest culturing medium. Furthermore, by applying this promising bio-fertilizer, the total cost of barley production via an IoT hydroponic growing system was reduced. Besides, these animal diets (sprouted barley) could be produced in 3 cycles per month.

Eight rhizospheric bacteria were isolated from the organic paddy fields of Sikkim, India, and identified as Pseudomonas kribbensis KSB, Burkholderia cenocepacia SRD, Kosakonia oryzendophytica YMA7, Pseudomonas rhodesiae SRB, Bacillus sp. ARA, Paenibacillus polymyxa COW3, Bacillus aryabhattai PSB2, and Bacillus megaterium PSB1. They showed plant growth-promoting attributes in rice and have bio-control potential against phytopathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides of large cardamom (Amomum subulatum). Burkholderia cenocepacia SRD showed production of indole acetic acid and ammonia and solubilization of phosphate and potassium and also possessed nitrogen fixation potential. It showed antagonistic activity against two other plant pathogens of large cardamom, viz., Curvularia eragrostidis and Pestalotiopsis sp., under in vitro conditions. The liquid bacterial consortium was prepared using the bacterial strains SRB, PSB1, and COW3 (Consortia-1); PSB2, SRD, and COW3 (Consortia-2); and COW3, KSB, and YMA7 (Consortia-3) to increase the growth and yield of rice plants under organic farming conditions. Greenhouse and field studies showed that the Consortia-3 had the highest plant growth-promoting activity. Consortia-3 demonstrated better agronomic performance in terms of root length (9.5 cm),number of leaflets per plant (5.3), grains per panicle (110.6), test grain weight (27.4 g), dry root weight per plant (0.73 g), and total dry biomass per plant (8.26 g).

In order to study the effect of mycorrhiza inoculation and zeolite-enriched manure compost on photosynthetic pigments content and qualitative properties of triticale grain, a factorial experiment in a completely randomized complete block design with four replications were conducted at Research Field of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khouzestan during 2016-2017 growing season. The experimental factors included mycorrhiza application at two levels (application and non-application of mycorrhiza), and mixing of zeolite to manure in six levels (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% w/w of zeolite/manure). According to the results, under conditions of mycorrhiza application with increasing zeolite up to 15% leaf greenness index (SPAD) increased but decreased afterwards. The highest chlorophyll a (2.68 mg g-1) was obtained from 15% zeolite treatment and the lowest (1.82 mg g-1) was detected in control. Mycorrhiza inoculation caused a 14% increase in carotenoid content compared to non-inoculation. Grain phosphorus content (0.43 mg kg-1) was increased in mycorrhiza inoculation condition compared to non-inoculation (0.37 mg kg-1). Under inoculation conditions, the highest grain yield (3510.7 kg ha-1) belonged to application of 10% zeolite. Under non-inoculation condition more zeolite was needed (in compare to inoculation treatment) to obtain the highest grain yield. The highest protein yield (329.97 kg ha-1) was obtained from mycorrhiza inoculation treatment with 15% zeolite and the lowest protein yield (1152 kg ha-1) was obtained from mycorrhiza inoculation treatment with 25% zeolite. Finally, the results of this study showed that the application of zeolite in manure and inoculation of mycorrhiza fungi can increase the concentration of photosynthetic pigments and grain quality of triticale.

Der Mangel an Nährstoffen im Boden, hauptsächlich an Phosphor (P) und Stickstoff (N), verbunden mit einem hohen Salzgehalt und der generellen Verarmung landwirtschaftlicher Böden , sind ein ernstes Problem für die landwirtschaftliche Produktion weltweit. Daher besteht ein dringender Bedarf an Forschung und Entwicklung geeigneter landwirtschaftlicher Praktiken, um ungünstige Bodenbedingungen zu verringern und wenn möglich die Fruchtbarkeit von Kulturland wiederherzustellen. Die Verwendung von Rhizobakterien, die das Pflanzenwachstum (PGPR) fördern, kann sich bei der Entwicklung von Strategien zur Erleichterung des Pflanzenwachstums unter normalen Wachstumsbedingungen sowie unter abiotischen Stress als nützlich erweisen. Diese Bakterien bieten ihren pflanzlichen Wirten Vorteile, indem sie die Aufnahme von Bodenmineralien fördern und Pflanzen vor schädlichen Umwelteinflüssen schützen. Die vorliegende Arbeit bewertet die Rolle von in Kamerun natürlich vorkommenden PGPR an Mais und untersucht deren Potenzial als Bioimpfstoffe zur Steigerung des Pflanzenwachstums in Kamerun. Wir prüfen die Hypothese, dass einheimische Bakteriengemeinschaften aus Kamerun einen hohen Anteil an Bakterien aufweisen, deren Eigenschaften Kulturpflanzen helfen, mit ungünstigen Bedingungen umzugehen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden dazu Bakteriengemeinschaften der Rhizosphäre von in Kamerun angebautem Mais isoliert und untersucht. Zum ersten Mal erfolgte eine umfassende phylogenetische Zuordnung aller kultivierbaren Bakterien, auf Grundlage ihrer potenziellen Fähigkeiten zur Förderung des Pflanzenwachstums., Nutrient deficiencies in soil, mainly in phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N), coupled to salinity and the impoverishment of agricultural soils, are a severe problem for agricultural production worldwide. Therefore, there is an urgent need for research and development of more suitable agricultural practices in order to reduce unfavorable conditions, and if possible, to restore the fertility of cultivated lands. The use of rhizobacteria, which promote plant growth (PGPR), can prove useful in developing strategies to facilitate plant growth under normal as well as under abiotic stress conditions. These bacteria offer benefits to plant hosts by promoting the uptake of soil minerals and protecting plants from environmental stresses. The thesis evaluates the role of native PGPR associated with maize as potential bio-inoculants for plants growth in Cameroon. We hypothesized that native bacterial communities from Cameroon include a high potential of bacteria helping the plant cope with unfavorable conditions. Here, we provide for the first time a comprehensive phylogenetic affiliation of cultivable bacterial communities associated with maize rhizosphere grown in Cameroon in relationship to their potential plant growth-promoting abilities.

International audience; Worldwide dairy processing plants produce high volumes of dairy processing sludge (DPS), which can be converted into secondary derivatives such as struvite, biochar and ash (collectively termed STRUBIAS). All of these products have high fertilizer equivalent values (FEV), but future certification as phosphorus (P)-fertilizers in the European Union will mean they need to adhere to new technical regulations for fertilizing materials i.e., content limits pertaining to heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn), synthetic organic compounds and pathogens. This systematic review presents the current state of knowledge about these bio-based fertilizers and identifies knowledge gaps. In addition, a review and calculation of greenhouse gas emissions from a range of concept dairy sludge management and production systems for STRUBIAS products [i.e., biochar from pyrolysis and hydrochar from hydrothermal carbonization (HTC)] is presented. Results from the initial review showed that DPS composition depends on product type and treatment processes at a given processing plant, which leads to varied nutrient, heavy metal and carbon contents. These products are all typically high in nutrients and carbon, but low in heavy metals. Further work needs to concentrate on examining their pathogenic microorganism and emerging contaminant contents, in addition to conducting an economic assessment of production and end-user costs related to chemical fertilizer equivalents. With respect to STRUBIAS products, contaminants not present in the raw DPS may need further treatment before being land applied in agriculture e.g., heated producing ashes, hydrochar, or biochar. An examination of these products from an environmental perspective shows that their water quality footprint could be minimized using application rates based on P incorporation of these products into nutrient management planning and application by incorporation into the soil. Results from the concept system showed that elimination of methane emissions was possible, along with a reduction in nitrous oxide. Less carbon (C) is transferred to agricultural fields where DPS is processed into biochar and hydrochar, but due to high recalcitrance, the C in this form is retained much longer in the soil, and therefore STRUBIAS products represent a more stable and long-term option to increase soil C stocks and sequestration.

Cover crops (CC) are an important low-input strategy in sustainable agricultural systems. The impact of different CC (common vetch, field pea, winter oats, fodder kale, common vetch + winter oats and field pea + winter oats), organic mulch, control treatment-fallow, and bio-fertilizer (BF) application, on yield and quality of sweet maize kernel was evaluated. CC biomass was higher in mixtures: field pea + winter oats, and common vetch + winter oats, as well as in fodder kale. Kernel yield and its chemical composition varied significantly by CC, BF, year, and their interaction. Organic mulch enhanced the concentration of sugars and glutathione in maize kernel. BF increased kernel yield, the concentration of sugars, vitamin C, Mg, Fe, Zn, and reduced phytate concentration. The highest Mg and Mn concentration in maize kernel was achieved with fodder kale, Zn concentration with common vetch + winter oats + BF, and Fe concentration with winter oats. The same treatments expressed the highest impact on variability in concentration of the phytate, phenolics, and yellow pigment, thus affecting further bio-availability of essential elements. Results indicate that in a semi-arid climate, under rain-fed conditions, CC such as fodder kale and winter oats + common vetch could enhance sweet maize productivity and kernel quality, serving as an important part of a sustainable cropping system, to facilitate food security.

Water hyacinth (WH, Eichhornia crassipes, ’Emboch’ in Ethiopia) is a highly disturbing class of invasive and noxious aquatic plants found worldwide in other water bodies and as such is a prime problem in Lake Tana. One approach to successfully control the rapid invasion of WH is to utilize it as a feedstock to produce high-valued commodities in a biorefinery framework. Preliminary life cycle analysis carried out in the study shows that WH biomass is a competitive feedstock for biorefinery systems with a unit cost at $ 24.40 per ton of dry matter. Based on the annual generation capacity of 0.71 million tons of dry mass in lake Tana and following the standard biorefinery process protocols, the predictions indicate that the economic potential of converting WH biomass into 38.8 billion liters of biomethane alone to be at $ 38.8 million, 74.2 million liters of bioethanol alone at $ 51.9 million, and o.52 million tons organic agro-fertilizer alone at $ 130.5/78.3 million as a partial substitute for Anhydrous Ammonia or Muriate of Potash (MOP) fertilizers. Hence the integrated WH management and utilization as a biorefinery feedstock ranks it among the world’s most competitive feedstocks with attractive socio-economic and environmental benefits.

This study investigated the characteristics of biochars derived from the pyrolysis of rubberwood sawdust (RWS) and sewage sludge (SS) and their co-pyrolysis at mixing ratios of 50:50 and 75:25. Biochars were produced at 550 °C through slow pyrolysis in a moving bed reactor and then characterized. Results showed that the rubberwood sawdust biochar (RWSB) had high carbon content (86.70 wt%) and low oxygen content (7.89 wt%). By contrast, the sewage sludge biochar (SSB) had high ash content (65.61 wt%) and low carbon content (24.27 wt%). The blending of RWS with SS at the mentioned ratios helped enhance the gross and element contents of the biochar samples. The elemental analysis of the biochars was also reported in the form of atomic ratios (H/C and O/C). The functional groups of biochars were observed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) revealed that the biochar from SS contained a high content of inorganic elements, such as Si, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, P, and Zn. The pH of the biochars ranged from 8.41 to 10.02. Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that RWSB had a lower surface area and larger pore diameter than the other biochars. The water holding capacity (WHC) and water releasing ability (WRA) of the biochars were in the range of 1.01–3.08 mL/g and 1.19–52.42 wt%, respectively. These results will be the guideline for further application and study of biochar from RWS, SS, and blended samples.

Son yıllarda mineral gübreler yanında, besinlerin alımını sağlayan farklı bakteri türlerinin saf veya karışımlarını ihtiva eden biyogübreler kullanılmaya başlanmıştır. Tarımda yaygın olarak kullanılmasına rağmen biyogübrelerin orman fidanlıklarında kullanımı göreceli olarak yeni bir uygulamadır ve orman fidanlarının morfolojik karakterlerine etkileri konusunda yapılmış çalışmalar sınırlıdır. Bu çalışma, biyogübrelerin dış ortam şartlarında fidan yastıklarına uygulandığında fidan morfolojik karakterlerine etkilerinin belirlenmesi için gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmada Bursa Orman Fidanlığında yastıkta yetiştirilen 1+0 yaşlı mavi servi (Cupressus arizonica) ve şeker akçaağacı (Acer saccharum) fidanları kullanılmıştır. Çok sayıda ticari biyogübre içinden, bileşimleri farklı bakterileri ihtiva eden iki farklı biyogübre çeşidi (Best-doll ve Bio-doll) seçilerek dört farklı doz (3 ml/l, 15ml/l, 30 ml/l ve kontrol) uygulaması yapılmış, bazı fidan morfolojik karakterlerine etkileri araştırılmıştır. C. arizonica ve A. saccharum fidanlarına uygulanan değişik biyogübreler ve dozları fidan boyu, kök boğaz çapı gibi bazı fidan morfolojik karakterlerinde anlamlı (belirgin) fark oluşturmuştur. A. saccharum fidanlarında Best-doll ve Bio-doll biyogübrelerinin 3 ml/l dozları kontrole göre fidan boyunu sırasıyla % 13 ve % 11, kök boğaz çapını ise sırasıyla % 13 ve % 16 artırmıştır. C. arizonica’nın ise kontrol grubu fidanları, her iki biyogübre uygulaması yapılan fidanlardan daha yüksek boy ve çap artımı sağlamıştır. Çalışmalara; birden fazla doz uygulama, farklı tür ve toprak şartlarında kullanım ve kimyasal gübrelerle kombine uygulamalar gibi konularda devam edilmelidir. In recent years, in addition to mineral fertilizers, biofertilizers containing the pure or mixture of different bacteria species that allow the uptake of nutrients have been used. Although widely used in agriculture, using of biofertilizers in forest nurseries is a relatively new application. There are limited researches about the effects of biofertilizers on morphological characteristics of forest tree seedlings, especially in outdoor environmental conditions of the nurseries. The current study was carried out to determine the effects of biofertilizers on the seedling morphological characteristics when applied on the seedbed of the forest nursery in outdoor conditions. In this research, 1+0 old Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum) seedlings were used in Bursa Forest Nursery. Among the numerous commercial biofertilizers, two biofertilizers containing different bacterial compositions were chosen and applied in four different doses (3 ml/l, 15ml/l, 30 ml/l and control) for each to determine the effects on some morphological seedling characteristics. The applied biofertilizers and doses on the seedlings of C. arizonica and A. saccharum significantly affected some morphological characteristics, such as the seedlings’ heights and root collar diameters. In A. saccharum seedlings, 3 ml/l doses of both Best-doll and Bio-doll fertilizers increased the length of the seedlings by 13% and 11% and provided 13% and 16% better growth in the root collar diameters respectively, compared to the control. The C. arizonica control group seedlings produced higher diameters and height growths compared to two other biofertilized seedlings. The studies of biofertilizers should be continued on using of different doses, different forest tree species, soil conditions and the combined applications with chemical fertilizers.

To study the effect of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and mycorrhizal fungi on phonological and physiological traits of wheat, an experiment was carried out in factriol arrangement using randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center, Sarableh (Ilam), Iran, during 2013-2014 cropping season. Experiment factors consisted of two dry land wheat cultivars (Cross Sablan and Saji) and fertilizer levels were 1- without application of phosphorous (P), 2- 100% phosphorous application, 3- Pseudomonas putida, 4- Funeliformis mosseae, 5- P. putida + F. mosseae, 6- P. putida + F. mosseae + 50% of phosphorious fertilizer, 7- P. putida + 50% of phosphorious fertilizer and 8- F. mosseae + 50% of phosphorious fertilizer. Results indicated that using chemical and biofertilizer affected 50% days to emergence, stem elongation, flowering, pollination, maturity weight and maturity significantly. Results also showed that using of bio-fertilizer reduced drought stress effects by improving phonological traits of wheat under dry land conditions. The highest LAI, CGR, TDM, RGR and NAR were obtained by Saji cultivar and application of 50% of phosphorious fertilizer + Mycorrhiza fungi, but it effect at late season on CGR, RGR and NAR due to increased shading of plants and leaf falling were negative. The Saji cultivar and 50% of phosphorious fertilizer + F. mosseae because of maximum LAI, CGR and TDM produced higher grain yield under dry land conditions. It can be concluded that Saji cultivar along with F. mosseae may have higher growth indices and seed yield under dryland conditions.

To study the possibility of reducing the consumption of nitrogen fertilizer using biological fertilizer on yield and yield components of cowpea. A factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted at Darreb Shahr in 2012. The first factor, which was at 3 levels of urea nitrogen, containing 0, 50 and 100 kg nitrogen per hectare, and the second factor was the biological fertilizer Nitroxin at 3 levels containing no inoculation, inoculation rate of 1 ml per 60 kg seeds and spraying a rate of 3 liters per ha. The results showed that protein content of seed inoculated with bio-fertilizer nitroxin was 24.96 percent which is one percent more than non-inoculated seeds. The amount of protein obtained in application of nitrogen was also more than non-application treatment and the difference between them was significant. The interaction of urea fertilizer and bio-fertilizer, resulted in highest and the lowest yield in seeds inoculated with 50 kg of urea fertilizer and no fertilizer application biological fertilizer + no fertilizer urea in 2046 and 1336 kg per hectare, respectively. All levels of nitrogen in the highest and the lowest yield was in a state of inoculation and non-application. Generally the results showed that the use of biological fertilizers can be used as part of the nutrients needed by cowpea, Also, if Nitroxin was supplemented with lower amounts of urea fertilizer seed yield may be increased seed yield may be improved.

Forage quantity and quality in simultaneous cropping of maize with vetch (Vicia villosa), grass pea (Lathyrus sativus), sainfoin (Onobrychis vicifolia), berseem clover (Trifolium alexanderinum L.), studied by experiment as randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 14 treatments and three replications at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh during 2015. The treatments were monocultures of maize (SC 704), Vetch, Grass pea, Sainfoin, Berseem clover and intercropping maize with each legume in inoculated and non-inoculated with nitroxin biofertilizer. The results showed that the highest and lowest forage yield were obtained in maize (inoculation)+ vetch intercropping and sainfoin monoculture, respectively. Also, the highest (277.5 g.kgDM-1) and the lowest (60.60 g.kgDM-1) crude protein were achieved in vetch and maize monoculture (without inoculation), respectively. In addition to, the highest acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) values were obtained in monoculture of maize (no -inoculation). The lowest ADF and NDF values were obtained in vetch monoculture and intercropping of maize (inoculation) + vetch. The highest values of DMI, DDM, RFV, NEL and TDN was observed in vetch monocultures. Also, between intercropping patterns, the highest values of these indices were obtained in intercropping of maize (inoculation) + vetch. Generally, the results of this study exhibited that the effects of vetch on the quality and quantity of forages was higher than other legumes in intercropping patterns.

In order to investigate growth indices, yield, and nitrogen and phosphorous content in soybean under bio- and chemical fertilizer application, a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out on the research farm of the Moghan College of Agriculture & Natural Resources during 2015. The first factor, Biosoy Bio-fertilizer containing different strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum bacteria, included inoculation of seed and non-inoculation; and the second factor, chemical fertilizer, included non-application of fertilizers (0%), 50 kg.ha-1 urea + 66 kg.ha-1 diammonium phosphate (33%), 100 kg.ha-1 urea + 132 kg.ha-1 diammonium phosphate (66%), and 150 kg.ha-1 urea + 200 kg.ha-1 diammonium phosphate (100%). The results showed that the lowest leaf area index (2.17), total dry matter accumulation (374.17 g.m-2), crop growth rate (8.6 g.m-2.d-1), grain yield (3738.3 kg.ha-1), and leaf chlorophyll index (20.83) values were observed from the combined treatment of non-inoculation and non-application of fertilizer. The highest values of leaf area index (5.46), total dry matter accumulation (784.5 g.m-2), crop growth rate (21 g.m-2.d-1), grain yield (7602.8 kg.ha-1), and leaf chlorophyll index (38.16) were recorded from the combined treatment of inoculation by Biosoy and 33% of chemical fertilizer. Inoculation treatments significantly showed higher nitrogen content and nitrogen to phosphorus ratio than non-inoculated ones. All-told, soybean inoculation with Biosoy bio-fertilizer containing Bradyrhizobium japonicum bacteria not only increases soybean growth, development and yield, but also, reduces chemical fertilizers usage, production costs, and environmental risks.

The aim of the study was to assess the interactive effect of the use of bio-fertilizer and organic matter brought into the soil, as well as to limit the use of mineral fertilization on the content of bioactive compounds in potato tubers cultivar ‘Satina’. The test results show a positive effect of the applied bio-fertilizer in all tested variants of organic fertilization (straw, fodder pea, manure) on the level of the tested compounds. Comparing the content of crude protein in tubers from plots where half the dose of mineral fertilization was applied, the use of bio-fertilizer increased the content of this component, especially after using straw. After 6 months of storage, organic fertilization had no significant effect on the protein content, while significant differences were found in tubers fertilized with mineral, in favor of the full dose of NPK fertilizers. The storage time increased the content of tyrosine, leucine, lysine, alanine, glutamic acid, and total AA, and also methionine, aspartic acid, and asparagine, while the content of isoleucine and phenyl-alanine decreased. The highest content of total polyphenols was found in tubers where the plots were covered with pea application, a full dose of mineral fertilizer, and the use of bio-fertilizer. Unfortunately, after 6 months of storage, potato tubers from plots fertilized with peas, especially those fertilized with half the dose of mineral fertilization and without the use of biofertilizer, significantly lost the most total polyphenols. Similar relationships were obtained for the level of chlorogenic acid in tubers, which is significantly correlated with the content of polyphenols, but only organic fertilization in the form of peas significantly increased the concentration of chlorogenic acid. On the other hand, the highest post-harvest antioxidant activity was characteristic of tubers from plots fertilized with manure, with a full dose of mineral fertilization and biofertilizer. During the 6-month storage, there was a decrease in the antioxidant capacity, on average 12.4% for the objects. This may indicate the influence of polyphenolic compounds as well as other antioxidants on the assessed trait.

Bacillus velezensis gram-positive bacterium, is frequently isolated from diverse niches mainly soil, water, plant roots, and fermented foods. B. velezensis is ubiquitous, non-pathogenic and endospore forming. Being frequently isolated from diverse plant holobionts it is considered host adapted microorganism and recognized of high economic importance given its ability to promote plant growth under diverse biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Additionally, the species suppress many plant diseases, including bacterial, oomycete, and fungal diseases. It is also able after plant host root colonization to induce unique physiological situation of host plant called primed state. Primed host plants are able to respond more rapidly and/or effectively to biotic or abiotic stress. Moreover, B. velezenis have the ability to resist diverse environmental stresses and help host plants to cope with, including metal and xenobiotic stresses. Within species B. velezensis strains have unique abilities allowing them to adopt different life styles. Strain level abilities knowledge is warranted and could be inferred using the ever-expanding new genomes list available in genomes databases. Pangenome analysis and subsequent identification of core, accessory and unique genomes is actually of paramount importance to decipher species full metabolic capacities and fitness across diverse environmental conditions shaping its life style. Despite the crucial importance of the pan genome, its assessment among large number of strains remains sparse and systematic studies still needed. Extensive knowledge of the pan genome is needed to translate genome sequencing efforts into developing more efficient biocontrol agents and bio-fertilizers. In this study, a genome survey of B. velezensis allowed us to (a) highlight B. velezensis species boundaries and show that Bacillus suffers taxonomic imprecision that blurs the debate over species pangenome; (b) identify drivers of their successful acquisition of specific life styles and colonization of new niches; (c) describe strategies they use to promote plant growth and development; (d) reveal the unlocked strain specific orphan secondary metabolite gene clusters (biosynthetic clusters with corresponding metabolites unknown) that product identification is still awaiting to amend our knowledge of their putative role in suppression of pathogens and plant growth promotion, and (e) to describe a dynamic pangenome with a secondary metabolite rich accessory genome.

To evaluate the effect of supplemental irrigation and seed priming on yield and some quantity and quality characteristics of vetch (Vicia dasycarpa) rainfed maragheh cultivar, an experiment was carried out at the Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Urmia, West Azarbaijan province, Iran, during 2011. The experiment was laid out using split-plot, based on Randomized Complete Block design in three replicates. The factors studied were: Supplemental irrigation at four levels: without supplemental irrigation (I1), 1 time of supplemental irrigation (I2), 2 times of supplemental irrigation (I3) and 3 times of supplemental irrigation (I3). The subplot included four levels of seed priming: Control (C), Water (W), Phosphate (P) and Nitroxin (N). Plant height, pod number in stems, 1000-grain weight, wet and dry forage yield in the second and third harvest and fiber percentage in the second and third harvest, protein yield in the second and third harvest, biological yield and harvest index were influenced by the supplemental irrigation. Wet and dry forage yield in the second harvest and wet forage yield in the third harvest were highest in I4 with respectively 14.5, 16.72 and 3.56 (tons/hectare) yield and lowest with respectively 7.73, 7.47 and 2.06 (tons/hectare) yield. As a result, applying 2 times of supplemental irrigation and seed treatment with phosphate and nitroxin had positive effects on quality and quantity yield of vetch and they could improve the quantity and quality of Vetch forage.

Fossil fuel resources become scarce, and their combustion is a major pollutant in the environment. As a result, scientists are eager to find alternatives to fossil fuels, and biomass could be one of them. One method of turning biomass into biogas is anaerobic digestion (AD). One of the organic waste kinds used to generate biogas is abattoir waste. In developing countries, managing abattoir waste streams is a significant concern. Using these wastes to produce biogas and biofertilizers could help Ethiopia reduce its environmental hazard while also solving energy and fertilizer-related issues. Given that, the researchers in this study intend to investigate the biogas and bio-fertilizer production potential of abattoir waste in Shashemene Municipality Abattoir (SMA), Ethiopia. To this aim, the production potential of biogas, energy, biofertilizer, and Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction was examined. The study showed about 688,755 kg (kg) per year of slaughterhouse waste is produced from 13,505 cattle, and anaerobic digestion may create approximately 206.63 × 103 m3/year of biogas. As a result, it can generate 1,018.98 Kilowatt-hour (kWh)/day and 371,927.7 kWh/year. On an annual basis, the biogas output (206.63 103 m3) can replace the 211.8 tons of energy consumed by LPG, kerosene, charcoal, furnace oil, petrol, and diesel. Moreover, the anaerobic digester has the potential to minimize the emission of greenhouse gas (GHG) by 952.4 tons CO2 eq per year. Furthermore, biogas has the potential to generate 43,184.9 kg of dry bio-fertilizer per year. Therefore, while biogas technology is the long-term solution for ensuring environmental safety and public health, proper disposal was one of the short-term options., Highlights • The average number of cattle slaughtered was 37 cattle per day, and 13,505 cattle per year. • The abattoir waste generated could be about 1,887 kg/day and 688,755 kg/year. • The slaughterhouse has a biogas production capacity of approximately 566.1 m3/day and 206,626.5 m3/year. • This biogas plant could hypothetically generate a heating value of 3.8 × 106 kW/year and electric power of 371,927.7 kW/year. • The installation of AD plants at SMA has the potential to reduce GHG emissions by 952.4 t CO2 eq per year and about 43,184.9 kg of biofertilizer will be produced ​annually., Abattoir; Bio-fertilizer; Biogas; Energy; Shashemene; Waste.

Rice production in Ghana has become unsustainable due to the extremely nutrient-poor soils. It is caused by inadequate soil fertility management, including the inefficient application of fertilizers. A practical solution could be the biofertilizers, Azospirillum sp. B510. We performed field trials in Ghana and Japan to compare the effects of B510 colonization on selected Ghanaian rice varieties grown. The B510 inoculation significantly enhanced the rice cultivars’ growth and yield. The phenotypic characteristics observed in rice varieties Exbaika, Ex-Boako, AgraRice, and Amankwatia were mainly short length and high tillering capacity. These features are attributed to the host plant (cv. Nipponbare), from which the strain B510 was isolated. Furthermore, Azospirillum species has been identified as the dominant colonizing bacterium of rice rhizosphere across a diverse range of agroecologies in all major rice-growing regions in Ghana. Our results suggest that the utilization of B510 as a bio-fertilizer presents a promising way to improve rice growth, enhance soil fertility, and sustain rice productivity in Ghana.

This study is on the optimization of the medium for solubilization of phosphate based on the Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology. Optimization of the liquid medium for phosphate solubilization using Serratia marcescens strain AGKT4 was carried out by varying the concentrations of 3 ingredients; the fructose, peptone and inoculum size of bacteria. A mathematical model derived from the response surface methodology was then validated statistically for the target test variables. The highest phosphate solubilization in the medium was achieved at the optimal concentrations of fructose and peptone at 6% (w/v) and 0.6% (w/v), respectively. The maximum phosphate solubilization at these concentrations was 239.12 µg/mL. Under the same conditions, the bacterial growth in the medium was 9 log10 CFU.

Potassium (K) is considered as an essential nutrient and a major constituent within all living cells. Naturally, soils contain K in larger amounts than any other nutrients; however most of the K is unavailable for plant uptake. Application of chemical fertilizers has a considerably negative impact on environmental sustainability. It is known that potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB) can solubilize K-bearing minerals and convert the insoluble K to soluble forms of K available to plant uptake. Many bacteria such as Acidothiobacillus ferrooxidans, Paenibacillus spp., Bacillus mucilaginosus, B. edaphicus, and B. circulans have capacity to solubilize K minerals (e.g., biotite, feldspar, illite, muscovite, orthoclase, and mica). KSB are usually present in all soils, although their number, diversity and ability for K solubilization vary depending upon the soil and climatic conditions. KSB can dissolve silicate minerals and release K through the production of organic and inorganic acids, acidolysis, polysaccharides, complexolysis, chelation, and exchange reactions. Hence, the production and management of biological fertilizers containing KSB can be an effective alternative to chemical fertilizers. This article presents an overview of current trends and challenges on KSB, mechanisms and their role in plant growth promotion, and eventually gives some perspectives for research on K in agriculture.

Considers Bio-fertilizer eco-friendly, characterize by their high importance in improve the chemical, physical and biological traits of soil was better from chemical fertilizer Where the latter causes negative effects on biosphere. The study was conducted to assessment the response of Wheat of Sajittario variety (W. S .V) for two concentration levels of Fito Alg organic fertilizer(F.A.O.F) in three spraying dates and their effects on the vegetative growth and yield properties by using the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications .The research was conducted in Mosul city within the province of Nineveh / Iraq at the agrarian season 2014 to study the response of (W. S .V) for two concentrations of (F.A.O.F) were (a1) 2 ml/L and (a2)4ml/L in three spraying dates (b1) 23/2, (b2) 2/3 and (b3) 9/3 ,which sprayed in tillering stage on vegetative growth , for studying their effects on the following properties; plant height cm, tillers number/plant , dry biological weight ( ton/ h), seeds number/ spike ,weight of 1000 seeds gm , straw weight (ton/ h) and total yield (ton/ h). By using the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results showed that variance analysis of the concentration of (F.A.O.F) with spraying dates were have significant effect at 0.05 probability level in the following characteristics; tiller number, weight of 1000 seed and yield ,also have significant effect at 0.01 probability level only in spike seeds number ,others properties were non-significant at both 0.05, 0.01 levels as table (2). Showed the first spraying date significant effect at 0.05 probability level their superior from others in weight 1000 seed and spike seeds number where was same effected with two others in dates of spraying as in table(3). Showed both concentrations the same effect in all of the traits at 0.05 levels. Where the first concentration had high value than both others concentrations as in table (4). The interaction effect between spraying dates and concentrations of (F A O F) on vegetative growth and yield characters for (W. S .V), where all vegetative and yield properties where the yield reached 4.86(to/ h). That indicates, to response the variety to (F. A O. F) by suitable concentration 2ml/l and fit the date of spraying 23/02 (a1b1) as in table (5), addition for good dominant environmental conditions in the study region, as well as the good genetic traits in the variety.

Ormanlaştırma çalışmaları uzun vadeli vemaliyetli yatırımlardır. Ekolojik koşulların uygunluğundan sonra, buyatırımların başarısı büyük ölçüde dikilen fidanın kalitesine bağlıdır. Fidankalite standartlarına uygun olmayan fidanların ağaçlandırma alanlarınadikilmesi, fidan kayıplarının, dolayısıyla tamamlama giderlerinin artmasınaneden olmaktadır. Fidanlıklarda kaliteli fidan üretimini etkileyen en önemlifaktörler besin, su ve ışık ilişkileridir. Yetersiz veya fazla beslenenfidanlar standart dışı olduğundan tutma başarıları düşmektedir. Bu nedenle,özellikle kurak ve yarı kurak alan ağaçlandırmalarında kullanılacak fidanların,kök/sak oranı dengeli, kök sisteminin çok iyi gelişmiş, suyu ve besini kolaycaalabilen yapıda olması istenmektedir. Fidan kalitesini artırmak için ormanfidanlıklarında toprak analizi yapıldıktan sonra besin maddesi açığına göre,kimyasal ve organik gübre takviyesi yapılmaktadır. Gübrelerin yarayışlı formadönüştürülmeleri ve kolay alınabilmelerinde, toprak mikroorganizmalarınınfonksiyonu büyüktür. Son yıllarda mineral gübrelemeler yerine, toprakmikroorganizmalarını artırarak besinlerin alınmasını sağlayan biyolojikgübreler (biyogübre, bio-inokulant) kullanılmaya başlanmıştır. Özellikletarımsal ürünlerde verim artışı, hastalıklara karşı direnç, besin maddelerindendaha iyi faydalanma gibi hususlarda başarılı sonuçlar alınmıştır.Biyogübrelerin orman fidanlıklarında kullanımı yeni bir uygulama olup, fidankarakteristiklerine etkileri konusunda Türkiye’de yapılmış bir çalışmayarastlanılmamıştır. Bu çalışma ile Türkiye’de ormanlaştırılan alanlarda en fazlakullanılan türlerden biri olan karaçamda ekim yastıklarına biyogübre uygulamasıyapılarak, bazı fidan morfolojik karakterlerine etkisinin belirlenmesihedeflenmiştir. Eskişehir Orman Fidanlığında gerçekleştirilen çalışma sonunda,2+0 yaşlı karaçam fidanlarına uygulanan biyogübrenin, istatistiki bakımdananlamlı bir fark oluşturmadığı (P>0,05)ortaya konulmuştur., Reforestation, afforestation and industrial plantation investments arelong term and costly investments. After suitability of ecological conditions,the success of these investments largely depends on the quality of seedlingsplanted. Planting seedlings that are not in accordance with quality standardscauses planting losses, thus the completion costs increase. The most importantfactors affecting quality seedling production in nurseries are nutrient, waterand light relationships. Insufficient or overfed seedlings decline plantingsuccess. For this reason, the seedlings to be used for forestation works in especiallyarid and semi-arid areas are required to be stem / root balanced, and welldeveloped root structures. In order to increase the quality of the seedlings soilanalysis is carried out in forest nurseries, chemical and organic fertilizersupport are made according to the nutrient deficiency. The function of soilmicroorganisms is great in converting fertilizers into useful form and easy totake. In recent years, biological fertilizers (bio-fertilizer, bio-inoculant)have started to be used instead of mineral fertilizers to increase soilmicroorganisms and nutrient available. In particular, successful results havebeen obtained on the issues such as increased yields, resistance to diseasesand better utilization of nutrients in agricultural products. The use ofbio-fertilizers in forest nurseries is a new practice and no study has beendone on the effects on seedling characteristics in Turkey. The aim of thisstudy is to determine the effects of bio-fertilizers on the morphologicalcharacters of some seedlings by applying bio-fertilizer on Crimean pineseedlings which is one of the most used species in the afforestation orreforestation areas in Turkey. At the end of the study conducted in EskişehirForest Nursery, it was revealed that the bio-fertilizer applied to 2 + 0 Crimean pine seedlings did not make a meaningful difference (P>0.05).

The effect of bio-fertilizers and intercropping with faba bean (Vicia faba L.) on grain and essential oil yield of cumin(Cuminum cyminum L.)evaluated by field experiment as factorial based on randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and three replications at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz in 2014. The first factor was four levels of cropping systems including, monoculture of cumin; three replacement intercropping patterns including row intercropping of faba bean with cumin (1 row faba bean-1 row cumin); strip intercropping as 2 rows faba bean-2 row cumin and 4 rows faba bean - 4 rows cumin. The second factor was three levels of fertilizers including 100% chemical fertilizer, 50% chemical fertilizer + biofertilizer (Azotobarvar + Barvar 2) and vermicompost (10 ton.ha-1).Results showed that the highest leaf number per plant of cumin was observed in 1:1 intercropping. The yield components of cumin in row intercropping pattern were higher than them in other intercropping patterns. The row intercropping +100% chemical fertilizer, had the highest cumin essential oil yield (4.8 kg.ha-1). Evaluating the intercropping indices showed that 1:1 intercropping had the highest relative value total (1/9) and standard land equivalent ratio (1/3-1/4) at all fertilizer levels.

The importance of bio-fertilizers has increased because of the negative consequences of using chemical fertilizers. This study that was conducted in the Zanjan County was aimed at examining the factors that affect farmers' perceived compatibility of bio- fertilizers. In this regard, among 313 active farmers in the Zanjan county, 135 farmers were contacted and surveyed through a convenient sampling to examine two categories of effective factors, i.e. personal (knowledge about and attitude toward bio-fertilizers) and environmental (economic accessibility, physical accessibility to bio-fertilizers and policy and support structures) factors. Binary logistic regression and discriminant analysis were applied to examine the consistency of the results. The results of two techniques showed that improving policy and support increased farmers' perceived computability and providing economic facilities decreased it. Furthermore, the results revealed that farmers' knowledge and attitude did not have a significant effect on the perceived compatibility.

Saabunud / Received 01.06.2020 ; Aktsepteeritud / Accepted 16.09.2020 ; Avaldatud veebis / Published online 19.09.2020 ; Vastutav autor / Corresponding author: Bikram Nepali bikramn25@gmail.com The bio-fertilizer potential of Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens on growth and yield performance of open-pollinated maize variety Rampur Composite was studied at the research farm of Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal during the winter season of 2018/19. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with seven treatments (T1: recommended dose of NPK (120:60:40 kg NPK ha–1), T2: T. viride only, T3: P. fluorescens only, T4: T. viride + 50% NPK; T5: P. fluorescens + 50% NPK; T6: T. viride + P. fluorescens + 100 % NPK, T7: control) and replicated thrice. The package of agronomic practices was followed as per national recommendation. The result revealed that T. viride + 50% NPK enhanced most of the growth components like plant height (103%), leaf number (9.77%), stem diameter (73.98%), root length (40.57%), leaf area index (173.28%), leaf biomass (83.36%) and stem biomass (127.72%) of maize compared to the control. Similarly, the higher cob biomass (641 g), yield (5708 kg ha–1) and thousand kernel weight (295 g) were recorded in the plot applied to P. fluorescens + 50% NPK. The use of Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens with a half-dose of recommended fertilizers may increase the vegetative growth and yield of maize and may also help to reduce the rate of chemical fertilizers in maize.

A field experiment was carried out with the use of complete randomized block design (CRBD) to study the effect of five bacterial inoculations (non- inoculation, inoculation with phosphate soluble bacteria, inoculation with Azotobacter bacteria, inoculation with Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacterial mixture). Two levels of salinity of irrigation water 3 and 6 dS.m-1 and four levels of phosphate fertilizer (0, 40, 80 and 120 kgP.ha-1). The results showed that the mixed inoculation of phosphate soluble bacteria, Azotobacter and P. fluorescens bacteria were superior to the rest of the single bacterial inoculation in plant height, dry weight of the shoot part, total grain yield, weight of 100 grains, grain weight in cop, leaf surface area, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentrations in the vegetative growth and grain with 33.08%, 31.90%, 61.07%, 44.99%, 62.06%, 36.94%, 12.8%, 31.5%, 156.5%, 272.3%, 39.5% and 75.1%, respectively, in comparison with the non- inoculation and irrigated water treatment of 6 dS.m-1 (T0S2P0), while the inoculation of phosphorus soluble bacteria did not differ significantly from the P.fluorescence inoculation in most of these traits. T3S2P3 was not significantly differ from T4S2P3 combined in the increase of plant height and total grain yield compared to the non- inoculation and non-phosphorous treated at the salt level 3and6 dS.m-1. The single-dose T2S2P3 did not differ significantly from the combined T4S2P3 3 and 6 dS.m-1.

Clonostachys rosea strain ACM941 is an effective biocontrol agent against several crop diseases including Fusarium head blight. In anticipation of its increased relevance going forward, the development of a reliable DNA-based molecular marker to track it is essential. Universally primed-PCR (UP-PCR) has been used successfully to differentiate other C. rosea strains. Herein, the development of a UP-PCR marker for ACM941 is described. A combination of two primers (AS15 and L45) produced a ~450 bp fragment that was unique to ACM941 compared to other commercial biocontrol agents. Primers subsequently designed based on the obtained fragment also produced a similarly unique band from ACM941 alone. BLAST analysis of the amplified sequence did not yield any homologous sequence in available online databases or within the closely related C. rosea IK726 and CBS125111 strains&rsquo, genomes. The specificity of this marker for ACM941 was validated against ten additional C. rosea strains isolated from Canada, with ACM941 producing the brightest band. Taken together, these results imply that the UP-PCR primers AS15 and L45 and the amplified fragment can be used to detect and monitor the ACM941 strain after its release into the environment.

To meet the increased demand for phytochemicals, plant cultivation in soil amended with biofertilizers has been developed. Here, we aimed to use vermicompost as an environmentally safe biofertilizer to enhance the nutritive and medicinal value of five common cultivars of Saudi date palm; namely Phoenix dactylifera L. var. Ajwa, Hulwa, Ruthana, Sefri, and Luban. To determine changes in the fruit nutritive composition, primary metabolites, antioxidants, phenolic compounds and mineral profiles were analyzed in the fruits from non-fertilized and vermicompost-fertilized date palms. We also tested how changes in the fruit chemical compositions due to vermicompost fertilization affected their medicinal potentials. Applying vermicomposts generally increased primary metabolites, vitamins, and mineral content as well as the medicinal potential of the date palm fruits. This positive effect is possibly explained by the role of vermicomposts in improving soil health and fertility. Furthermore, clustering analyses and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated cultivar-specific responses. PCA analysis also revealed that the bioactivities of the date palm fruit extracts and their antioxidants tended to display correlated output values. One of the highly accumulated phenolic compounds, beta-D-glucogallin, was extracted and purified from P. dactylifera L. var. Ajwa fruits and showed significant antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, antimutagenic, and antiprotozoal activities. Overall, applying vermicompost is an innovative approach to increase the nutritive quality and medicinal potential of date palm fruits.