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Suitability Study of Biochar as an Alternate Carrier to Peat for the Preparation of Rhizobium Biofertilizers (2015-2016)

M. E. ALI
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

M. M. MASUD
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

M. RAHMAN
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

M. F. A. ANIK
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

F. ALAM
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

M. A. H. BHUIYAN
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A laboratory experiment was carried out in the Soil Microbiology Laboratory of Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur during 2015-2016 to find out the suitable carrier materials for Rhizobium biofertilizer production as an alternate to peat. There were seven treatments viz. T₁: Rice straw based biochar, T₂: Grass based biochar, T₃: Sawdust based biochar, T₄: Groundnut straw based biochar, T₅: Lozzaboti based biochar, T₆: Wheat straw based biochar and T₇: Peat. BARI RGm-901 (a Rhizobium strain isolated for soybean, Glycine max L.) was selected as a Rhizobium strain for this experiment. Among the different carriers, sawdust based biochar recorded a maximum population of 6.5-10⁹cfu g^-1 on 30 days after inoculation followed by peat of 4.0-10⁸cfu g^-1 of carrier and lozzaboti based biochar of 3.5-10⁸cfu g^-1 of carrier. In addition, it was observed that all the carrier materials performed better at low temperature storage condition compared to room temperature.

Keywords: Biofertilizer, Peat, Sawdust, Soil pH, Rhizobium Biofertilizer

Location: The central research field of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, BARI, Gazipur, Bagladesh

Start Date: 00-00-2015

End Date: 00-00-2016

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Soil fertility, Bio fertilizer

Objectives:

To assess the potential of biochar as a substrate for biofertilizer production as an alternate to peat.

Methodology:

Collection of organic materials and preparation of Biochar: Six organic materials were selected for biochar preparation namely sawdust, rice straw, wheat straw, groundnut straw, shon grass and lozzabati. The plant materials were collected from the central research field of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute and sawdust from sawmill. All the organic materials were air-dried first. The plant materials were chopped into small pieces. The materials were burned separately using biochar preparation device. The biochar was ground and sieved. Fifty grams of each type of biochar material were packed using a polythene packet.

Treatments details:

T₁: Rice straw based biochar

T₂: Grass based biochar

T₃: Sawdust based biochar

T₄: Groundnut straw based biochar

T₅: Lozzaboti based biochar

T₆: Wheat straw based biochar

T₇: Peat

Characteristics of carrier materials: All the carrier materials were analyzed for chemical compositions using standard chemical procedure. The organic carbon content of biochar materials was higher over peat. The highest organic carbon content was found in sawdust-based biochar and the highest N content was observed in lozzaboti based biochar. The pH value was around 8 in all the biochar materials where the peat showed a pH value of less than 5.

Preparation of Rhizobium broth culture and inoculation into the carrier materials: We selected BARI RGm-901 (a Rhizobium strain isolated for soybean, Glycine max L.) as a Rhizobium strain for this experiment. Yeast mannitol agar media was prepared and autoclaved. Then Rhizobium strains were inoculated to the media and shake by using a rotary shaker for 3-5 days. After sufficient growth of Rhizobium in the broth, the broth was injected into the carrier materials packet. Twenty mL of broth culture was injected into each of the packets. The bags were thoroughly kneeded to ensure absorption of liquid culture into the carrier. After injection of broth culture, the packets were kept in the incubator at 28⁰C temperature for 7 days. Then we stored the inoculums packet into two parts, one part at room temperature and the other was in fridge at 4⁰C. The inoculum packets were analyzed using standard microbiological procedure for rhizobial population count at 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 days after inoculation.

Estimation of Rhizobium population: The population of Rhizobium was enumerated by serial dilution of the samples upto 10^-7, and plating in yeast manitol agar medium by following drop plate technique. Dilutions from 10^-2and 10^-7were plated by dividing the petriplates and labeling the dilutions accordingly. The population of the inoculant in the inoculum packets was estimated at periodic intervals up to 90 days. The results were expressed as cfu g^-1 dry weight of the samples.

Source of Information: Annual Research Report 2015-2016, Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Based on the results of this study, biochar can be used as the best alternate carrier material to peat for the preparation of microbial inoculant. The use of sawdust-based biochar, lozzabati based biochar and grass-based biochar were found to increase the survival of microbial inoculant since it is free from toxic elements and it is highly eco-friendly by adding to carbon into the soil. It does not require any sterilization process as that of the other carrier since it is already heated up and is free from contaminants. Moreover, biochar does not have any storage problem due to its limited moisture content. Further study should be needed to draw a concrete recommendation.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings