Abstract
Biofertilizers offer a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilizers, by harnessing the power of beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms promote plant growth and protect crops against diseases, pests, and environmental stressors. Therefore, incorporating biofertilizers into agricultural practices can not only enhance crop yields but also promote sustainable farming and contribute to the preservation of natural resources for future generations. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the biofertilizer (BF) of phosphate and potassium rock dust, optimized by the action of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, Beijerinkia indica, and Cunninghamella elegans, associated with sewage sludge on the microbial properties and enzymatic activity of soil cultivated with banana. Two BF rates were applied: 100% (BF1.0) and 150% (BF1.5) of the recommended dose for banana seedlings (2 and 3 kg plant−1, respectively), a soluble commercial fertilizer (CF = NPK, ammonium sulfate, simple superphosphate, and potassium chloride), and an organic fertilizer (OF = earthworm humus (3 kg plant−1), with sewage sludge (+ SS 10 L per seedling pit) or with-out (-SS). The experiment had a completely block design with four replicates, distributed in factorial scheme 2 × 2 + 2 [two rates of BF (BF1.0 and BF1.5), two sewage sludge situations (with + SS or without -SS), and two controls commercial fertilizer (CF) and organic fertilizer (OF)].Soil samples were collected (5 replicates per plot) after the complete cycle of the mother plant at 0–20 cm depth. The variables analyzed were soil chemical attributes, pH, total organic carbon, microbial biomass, soil basal respiration, metabolic quotient, microbial quotient, and soil enzyme activities (urease, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase). Our analysis revealed that both BF concentration applied with sewage sludge (+ SS) increased soil respiration, metabolic quotient, acid, and alkaline phosphatase. The application of BF1.5 mixed with + SS increased soil respiration (~ 30%) and acid and alkaline phosphatase (~ 100% and 72%, respectively). In the BF1.0 and BF1.5 treatments without -SS, Paci enzymes were higher by 100% compared to OF and CF treatments. Paci enzyme, OF(+ SS), and BF1.5(+ SS) soil presented more than two-fold the values compared to CF-SS. However, the lowest dose of BF-SS had the highest Palk, five-fold higher than the OF. The multivariate analysis revealed that BF1.0 and BF1.5 applied in combination with sewage sludge greatly improved the soil biological properties. Our findings highlight the potential of a biofertilizer composed of a mixture of phosphate rock dust (a natural phosphate containing 24% of total P2O5), potassium (Relinktum, with 8–10% of total K2O), and elemental sulfur, inoculated with Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans with sewage sludge, to significantly enhance soil properties. Our findings show that the use of BF in different doses (1.0 and 1.5) combined with sewage sludge, and comparing them to organic and commercial fertilizers, is effective and sustainable alternative to conventional soluble fertilizers and provides important information for an alternative strategy to overcome the fertilizer crisis and reduce dependence on external inputs.
Graphical Abstract
Biofertilizer added with sewage sludge improve chemical, microbiological, and enzyme activities of soil cultivated with banana
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The authors are grateful to the National Council for Scientific and Techno-logical Development (CNPq), Brazil; the Foundation for the Support of Science and Technology of the State of Pernambuco (FACEPE- APQ-1747-5.01/22; APQ-1464-5.01/22), Brazil; and the Coordination to the Improvement of Education Personnel (CAPES), Brazil, by the financial support and scholarships.
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All authors contributed significantly to this manuscript. Barros, A.B. and Stamford, N.P.: designed this study; Barros, A.B., Stamford, N.P., and Oliveira, W.S.: produced the biofertilizer and conducted field experiments; Barros, A.B., Freitas M.I., and Silva, E.V.N.: were responsible for the samples analysis; Costa, D.P.: data analysis; Barros, A.B. and Medeiros, E.V.: were responsible for the writing of the paper; Medeiros, E.V. and Araujo, A.S.F.: edited and reviewed the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
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**Newton Pereira Stamford – In memory.
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de Barros, J.A., Stamford, N.P., da Silva, E.V.N. et al. Biofertilizer Combined with Sewage Sludge Increases the Quality of Soil Cultivated with Banana. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 23, 6273–6283 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-023-01483-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-023-01483-1