Microbial characterization of on-farm produced bio-enhancers used in organic farming

Abstract

Use of organic liquid manure for plant nutrition is an age old practice in India. Panchagavya had been utilized since long time by the farmers to provide nutrients to the plants and soil micro-organisms. Microbial analysis of bio-enhancers revealed that Panchagavya contained highest number of total bacteria (6.25 x 109 cfu ml-1) as compared to Jeevamrita (3.24 x 109 cfu ml-1), Biodynamic liquid pesticide (2.27 x 109 cfu ml-1) and Amritpani (5.49 x 108 cfu ml-1). Panchagavya had also higher number of Pseudomonas (4.7 x 107 cfu ml-1), Rhizobium (2.43 x 106 cfu ml-1), Azotobacter (1.4 x 105 cfu ml-1) and Azospirillum (1.03 x 105 cfu ml-1). Fungi population was highest in Jeevamrita (1.20 x 107 cfu ml-1) as compared to Biodynamic liquid pesticide (2.64 x 106 cfu ml-1), Amritpani (0.46 x 105 cfu ml-1) and Panchagavya (0.20 x 105 cfu ml-1). Actinomycetes, Pseudomonas, p-solubilizing microbes, Azotobacter and Azospirillum population were highest in Biodynamic liquid pesticide (1.37 x 108, 3.28 X 108, 8.50 x 106, 2.00 x 106 and 1.40 x 105 cfu ml-1). Similarly, gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria and Rhizobium were highest in Jeevamrita (1.60 x 108, 2.20 x 108, 7.51 x 107 cfu ml-1). Amritpani had higher number of actinomycetes (1.31 x 107 cfu ml-1), gram negative bacteria (1.35 x 108 cfu ml-1) and p-solubilizing microbes (4.80 x 106 cfu ml-1). Among all bio-enhancers, Panchagavya was rated most effective bio-enhancer followed by Biodynamic liquid pesticide, Jeevamrita and Amritpani. Results reveal that these bio-enhancers could play a potent source of beneficial microbes which could improve soil fertility, crop productivity and produce quality.