Fluid Bed Dried Microbial Consortium for Enhanced Plant Growth: A Step towards Next Generation Bio Formulation

Fluid Bed Dried Microbial Consortium for Enhanced Plant Growth: A Step towards Next Generation Bio Formulation A new type of biofertilizer formulation containing microbial consortium was constituted using fluid bed dryer (FBD) with a vision of reducing contamination and enhancing performance of bioinoculants. Three agriculturally beneficial microorganisms’ viz. Pseudomonas fluorescens (plant growth promoter), Acinetobacter sp. (phosphate solubilizer) and Azotobacter chroococcum (dinitrogen fixer) were used in consortium. Inocula of respective combinations were mixed with carrier material (talc) and dried in FBD. Effectiveness of these inoculants formulations was carried out with finger millet (Eleusine coracana Gaertn.) in greenhouse. Enhancement in nitrogen content, phosphorus content and dry weight was reported from triple inoculants consortium followed by dual, single and uninoculated control. Chlorophyll content was highest from dual inoculation of P. fluorescens + Acinetobacter sp. and Acinetobacter sp. + A. chroococcum. Plant growth in inoculated treatments was robust when supplied with NPK fertilizers, but effect of inoculation was pronounced in plants not receiving chemical fertilizers. However, performance of plants receiving triple inoculants consortium without nutrients (-NPK) was on par with uninoculated plants with nutrients (+NPK). This can be handy in reducing contamination due to low moisture availability..