INNOVATIVE BIOFERTILIZER FORMULATION UTILIZING SELF-GELATING AZOTOBACTER VINELANDII

INNOVATIVE BIOFERTILIZER FORMULATION UTILIZING SELF-GELATING AZOTOBACTER VINELANDII

Abstract

The demand for sustainable agriculture necessitates innovative methods to maintain yields while minimizing conventional fertiliser use, thereby enhancing environmental sustainability and protecting fertile land. One such innovation is the development of biofertilizers that utilize plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to enhance soil quality through various beneficial mechanisms. We have proposed a novel biofertilizer production method employing Azotobacter vinelandii for in-situ self-encapsulation within a protective gel carrier through alginate crosslinking during bacterium culture. This approach streamlines preparation, potentially lowering costs and enhancing process competitiveness. Strains of A. vinelandii were selected for bioinoculant preparation and characterization. Among them, Azotobacter vinelandii CCM 289 was chosen for its superior alginate production, effective gelation, and confirmed ability to generate PGP metabolites, such as indole-3-acetic acid and siderophores. To confirm the positive effect on plant growth, three pot-cultivation experiments were executed on Lactuca sativa L., incorporating four PGPR carrier formulations, with each group comprising 8 plants. These experiments demonstrated positive effects of these formulations mainly under environmental stresses, including low irrigation and nutrient deficiency. Lyophilized gel formulations significantly improved soil microbial diversity, plant growth under stress and plant dry mass. These results highlight the potential of alginate-based PGPR formulations for sustainable agriculture.

The demand for sustainable agriculture necessitates innovative methods to maintain yields while minimizing conventional fertiliser use, thereby enhancing environmental sustainability and protecting fertile land. One such innovation is the development of biofertilizers that utilize plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to enhance soil quality through various beneficial mechanisms. We have proposed a novel biofertilizer production method employing Azotobacter vinelandii for in-situ self-encapsulation within a protective gel carrier through alginate crosslinking during bacterium culture. This approach streamlines preparation, potentially lowering costs and enhancing process competitiveness. Strains of A. vinelandii were selected for bioinoculant preparation and characterization. Among them, Azotobacter vinelandii CCM 289 was chosen for its superior alginate production, effective gelation, and confirmed ability to generate PGP metabolites, such as indole-3-acetic acid and siderophores. To confirm the positive effect on plant growth, three pot-cultivation experiments were executed on Lactuca sativa L., incorporating four PGPR carrier formulations, with each group comprising 8 plants. These experiments demonstrated positive effects of these formulations mainly under environmental stresses, including low irrigation and nutrient deficiency. Lyophilized gel formulations significantly improved soil microbial diversity, plant growth under stress and plant dry mass. These results highlight the potential of alginate-based PGPR formulations for sustainable agriculture.

Azotobacter vinelandii; polyhydroxyalkanoates; alginate; Lactuca sativa

Azotobacter vinelandii; polyhydroxyalkanoates; alginate; Lactuca sativa

SÚKENÍK, M.; ČERNAYOVÁ, D.; KALINA, M.; HLAVÁČKOVÁ, B.; SEDLÁČEK, P.; OBRUČA, S.

28.04.2025

Česká společnost chemická

Praha

2336-7210

XIVth INTERDISCIPLINARY MEETING OF YOUNG LIFE SCIENTISTS

Czech Chemical Society Symposium Series

2336-7210

Czech Chemical Society Symposium Series

23 (2025)

2

Czech Republic

62

62

1

http://www.ccsss.cz/index.php/ccsss/issue/view/50/90