Biofertilizer Technology for - Apple

Abstract

Biofertilizer has potential to improve agriculture in a sustainable sustainable manner. ICAR All India Network Network Project Project on Soil Biodiversity Biodiversity Biofertilizer tilizer (AINP SBB) has developed developed a biofertilizer tilizer technology technology for apple. The biofertilizer tilizer was formulated formulated at the AINP SBB center Dr Y S Parmar University University of Horticulture ticulture and Forestry (YSPUHF), (YSPUHF), Solan. A bacterial bacterial endophyte endophyte Bacillus Bacillus lichenifor licheniformis CKA1 was isolated isolated from roots of apple (Malus domestica Borkh). The strain exhibits multifarious plant growth promoting (PGP) traits including P solubilization, solubilization, ability ability to grow in nitrogen nitrogen free medium, medium, iron chelating chelating ability ability, phyto-hormone phyto-hormone production, production, siderophore siderophore production, production, chitinase chitinase and protease protease enzyme production. production. The strain exhibits exhibits antifungal antifungal activity activity against against soil borne pathogens pathogens such as Phytophthora Phytophthora sp., Fusarium usarium oxyspor oxysporum, Pythium Pythium aphanider aphanidermatum and Dematophora Dematophora necatrix necatrix. Therefore, the Bacillus licheniformis CKA1acts as biofertilizer, biostimulant biostimulant and protectant. protectant. The strain CKA1 found to control control fungal diseases, diseases, enhanced enhanced plant health and maximized maximized protability protability.