Date
2015
Abstract
Two of the major crops contributing to the Philippine economy are eggplant (Solanum melongena and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). These plants especially sugarcane require large amount of inorganic fertilizer to attain high yields. The ever increasing price of inorganic fertilizers is impelling to search for alternative source of nutrients to reduce dependence from the use of imported fertilizers. Biofertilizer technology such as endophytic bacterial inoculants is a new strategy that could reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. Hence, this research was conducted to develop, formulate and field test a new biofertilizer product utilizing endophytic bacterial inoculants for improved production of eggplant and sugarcane. Collection of 15 and 26 purified endophytic bacterial isolates for eggplant and sugarcane, respectively, followed by selection of effective bacterial inoculants (EBI) were done. Molecular characterizatio n and identification of two (2) selected EBI isolates for eggplant and sugarcane were made. The EBI E3 isolated from the root of eggplant was identified as Enterobacter ludwigii. For sugarcane, EBI S18 isolated from the leaf sheath was identified as Enterobacte spp. These two selected EBI were examined microscopically. The possible mode of action of the identified EBI inoculants for sugarcane and eggplant are biological nitrogen fixation as indicated by the presence of NifH gene detected and the production of growth promoting indole acetic acid. (IAA). S canning electron microscopy indicated that the possible entry of the EBI is from the stomatal opening or breakages of the plant tissues. The effective endophytic bacterial (EB) inoculants Nutrio TM for eggplant and sugarcane indicated that both EBI S18 and EBI E3 are fast growing endophytes. The shelf life of Nutrio TM foliar biofertilizer at room temperature with cell population from 1010 to 106 cells per gram inoculants was determined. Bioefficacy trials and farmers field trial indicated that 1/2 recommended rate of fertilization (1/2 RRF) +EBI E3 for eggplant and EBI S18 for sugarcane have shown consistent results based on yield of the plants. For eggplant, foliar application of EBI E3 alone can significantly improve the cumulative marketable and total (marketable + non marketable) yield in terms of number of fruit and weight. For sugarcane, both bioefficacy and farmer's field trials have shown that yield (Tcane/ha) and sugar yield (Lkg/ha) were consistent with 1/2 RRF + inoculation with EBI S18. The results implied that fertilization with 1/2 RRF + inoculation with EBI 3 or EBI S18 can improve the yield of eggplant and sugarcane with corresponding 50% reduction on the use of inorganic chemical fertilizer. The cost benefit analysis of using 1/2 RRF + Nutrio TM (EBI E3) for eggplant and for sugarcane (EBI S18) proved to be beneficial for eggplant and sugarcane production. Nutrio TM is an approved trade name from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippine (IPOPhil).
Language
English
Document Type
Article
Recommended citation
Padilla, V. M., "Development and promotion of new and enhanced biofertilizers, biostimulants, and biopesticides for improved crop productivity: development and filed testing of endophytic bacterial inoculants as new biofertilizer for improved production of egpplant (Solanum melongena) and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)" (2015). Report. 2.
https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/reports/2
Pages /Collation
124 leaves
En – AGROVOC descriptors
SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM; SUGARCANE; SOLANUM MELONGENA; AUBERGINES; PLANT PRODUCTION; BIOFERTILIZERS; INORGANIC FERTILIZERS; FERTILIZER APPLICATION; APPLICATION RATES; ENDOPHYTES; KEEPING QUALITY; COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS