Erum Mumtaz

Biocomposting of Agro-waste Residues by Phosphate Solubilizing Fungi: Application of Agro-waste Products As Organic and Value Added Bio Fertilizer for Improving Plant Growth Erum Mumtaz

Application of agro-residue wastes as organic matter resulted in better soil structure that provide more suitable medium for plant growth, supplies nutrients for the plant and also help to build up target microorganisms. The combined use of these agro-waste materials with inoculant favors the buildup of high microbial populations that improve plant growth. Hence, these raw food stuffs can be used as a carrier material for bio fertilizer production which can be applied as an alternative source of expensive inorganic fertilizer. The application of composted bio fertilizer provoked a significant improvement in growth of plant as compared to uncomposted organic fertilizers. Bio fertilizer enhances organic materials availability to plant more than just organic fertilizer. Soil Inoculation with phosphate solubilizing fungi i.e. Aspergillus sp., has been shown to increase phosphorus solubilization and uptake from rhizosphere along with other essential nutrient uptake and soil fertility status. The inoculation of A. niger as carrier based biofertilizer will enhance the uptake and availability of available phosphates to plants and in turn will reduce the requirement of synthetic fertilizer.