Optimizing Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria Viability and Plant Growth-Promoting Traits through Liquid Media Composition
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1
Doctoral Student of Agriculture Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jl. Raya Bandung-Sumedang Km 21, Jatinangor, Sumedang 45363, West Java, Indonesia
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School of Agriculture, Tokai University, Rinku Campus, Kumamoto, Japan
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Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran. Jl. Raya Bandung Sumedang Km. 21, Sumedang 45363, West Java, Indonesia
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Department of Soil Science and Land Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran. Jl. Raya Bandung Sumedang Km. 21, Sumedang 45363, West Java, Indonesia
Corresponding author
Reginawanti Hindersah
Department of Soil Science and Land Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran. Jl. Raya Bandung Sumedang Km. 21, Sumedang 45363, West Java, Indonesia
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ABSTRACT
Developing effective liquid biofertilizers depends on compatible microbial strains, suitable carrier formulations, and proper scaling-up conditions. The study aimed to assess the effects of N and P enrichment on a molasses-based liquid carrier formula and various agitation conditions on the cell viability of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, Azotobacter, Priestia, and Bacillus. All selected strains, isolated from the strawberry rhizosphere, showed mutual growth without inhibiting nutrient agar, indicating their suitability for forming a consortium. The liquid carrier, formulated with 1% molasses, 0.1% NH4Cl, and 0.2% phosphate buffer, produced the highest bacterial populations, reaching 17.3 log CFU/mL in N-free Ashby's agar and 16.4 log CFU/mL in Tryptic Soy Agar after nine days of incubation. This liquid carrier formulation also maintained a more stable pH (8.1) and lower electrical conductivity (1.5 mS/cm) compared to other treatments, suggesting these conditions are optimal for sustained bacterial activity. All agitation speeds (115–135 rpm) showed similar growth curves, with OD reaching a maximum of 3.9–4.0 on day six. However, 135 rpm resulted in the most significant growth rate (slope 0.638, R² 0.926) and higher levels of indole-3-acetic acid, gibberellin, zeatin, and phosphatase activity. These results demonstrate that carrier formulation enhances population growth and stability. This optimized process provides a promising approach for developing a multi-strain liquid carrier biofertilizer for strawberry cultivation.