Effect of Rhizobium Based Biofertilizer Combined with Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the Growth of Hyacinth Bean

Abstract

Aim: To study the combined effect of Rhizobium isolate and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the growth of Lablab purpureus (hyacinth bean plant) as a potential bioinoculum for preparation of a novel biofertilizer. Place of Study: The study was done in the laboratory of MITCON Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Center, Pune, India; between February 2013 to December 2013. Method: A pot experiment was arranged in two treatments (control and biofertilizer application) and provided with six replications each with 20 pots. Biofertilizer was prepared by mixing the Rhizobial inoculant with activated charcoal that acted as the carrier. Biochemical as well as genetic (16S rRNA sequencing) characterization proved that the isolate was from Rhizobium spp. Seeds were treated by placing in a solution containing S. cerevisiae. The seeds were then sown in pots and allowed to germinate in controlled conditions. Results: The application of biofertilizer had a significant impact on the growth of hyacinth bean. The treated plants showed 21.7% increase in the shoot length (P value < 0.01), 6% in root length (P value <0.001) and 13.7% increase in the wet weight (P value < 0.01) as compared to control plants grown without the biofertilizer. Conclusion: The newly prepared biofertilizer shows a significant potential for farmers looking to increase their productivity.