Effect of nitrogen fixing and phosphate solubilizing microorganisms on azolla biofertilizer and growth performance of amarathus.

Abstract

Agriculture is of great essence in Uganda although there no production and yields due to the reduction in soil fertility which could be attribute to excessive use of chemical fertilizers or lack of access to fertilizers. The use of bio fertilizers is the best solution to combat this problem. This study was conducted to assess the effect of nitrogen fixing and phosphate solubilizing bacteria on Azolla bio fertilizer and the growth performance of Amaranthus. Triplicated of potted plants were grown in five different treatments Azolla, ANFB, APSB, APNB and NC which was just soil. Respectively in the greenhouse of the botanical gardens of Makerere University, Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology. The plants were monitored and their height, surface area of leaves, and number of leaves were determined weekly for a period of four weeks in the different treatments and measured. Height, surface area and number of leaves were subjected to analysis in order to determine the significance of applying Azolla and the bacteria on the growth performance of Amaranthus plants at P=0.05. Significant differences were observed in available phosphorus and total nitrogen upon soil analysis. From the observed average means it was realized that a mixture of Azolla and the bacteria was effective in improving growth performance of the plants. Therefore with further studies and trials, these bio fertilizers substitute the use of inorganic fertilizer as a sustainable, eco-friendly and accessible input to improve and maintain soil fertility and health.