2/19/2013

1
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Soil Fertility Improvement through
Biofilmed Bio-fertilisers (BFBFs):
- Potentials for Field Applications -
Dr M S D L De Silva
Senior Research Officer
Agronomy Division
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Improvement of soil fertility
2
Non
Chemical
(biological
and physical
methods)
Rehabilitation
Burying of pruning
Mulching
Composting
Forking
Shade establishment and management
Soil conservation methods (SALT etc..)
Intercropping
Chemical Synthetic /Chemical fertiliser/pH correction
2/19/2013
2
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Detrimental effects of Conventional (Chemical)
Farming system
3
Soil degradation
(40% global agric.)
Water pollution
Loss of biodiversity
(soil fauna and flora)
Desertification
Changes in soil structure
Buildup of toxic compounds
Declining the crop
productivity
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Soil fertility Improvement through Biofertilisers
Live formulates of
beneficial organisms
Fix and mobilize
nutrients through
biological activities
Rejuvenate soil
system & sustain the
crop productivity
In forest ecosystem , 99% pathogens could be suppressed by
beneficial microbes
2/19/2013
3
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Soil fertility Improvement through Bio-fertilisers
Mono cultures
Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Bacillus megatherium
Mycorrhizal fungi
Mixed cultures
Rhizobium + Phosphobacterium
Azotobacter + Pseudomonas
Biofilmed Bio-fertilisers: (developed microbial community)
Penicilliumspp. + Bradyrhizobium elkani Soybean ( 30% N f.ca.)
Pleurotus ostreatus + Bradyrhizobium elkani -Mushroom( 25% N f.ca.)
Psedomonas fluorescens + Pleurotus ostreatus Tomato
Biofilms of Rice Endophytes - Rice Experiments in progress
Combination of bacteria and fungi (F3B & FR) - Tea
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Definition and functions of Biofilm
6
What is Biofilm:
Its a complex aggregation of microorganisms
that include bacteria, fungi, algae etc. with EPS-
(Extracellular Polymeric Substance) which provides
structure and protects the community
Functions of Biofilm:
Agents for bio-fertilisers Corporative microbes
and bio control of pests Competitive microbes
What is Biofilmed Biofertilisers:
More efficient Bio fertilisers with fungal-bacterial
biofilm
2/19/2013
4
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Microscopic view of Biofilms
7
Bacterial cells
attached to root hair
of tea
Fungal-bacterial bio-film in
maize
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Functions of BFBFs: A diagrammatic sketch
N
2
(NH
4
+
-N)
(NO
3
-
- N)
P- solubilization
Organic acids IAA / H
+
C
N
2
Nodule-like structure in Bio
film
Bio control of
Pathogens
Atm.
MBC ; C -carbon
accumulation-
Plant growth
hormone
Root hair
2/19/2013
5
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Advantages of BFBFs
9
Effective in N2 fixing
- can be used for non legumes as bio-fertlisers -
Enhance P use by improving P solubilization
Enhance soil K by chelating action
Enhance plant growth by growth hormones
Production of antimicrobial compounds
Enhance mycorrhizal association
Increase uptake of nutrients (P, N, Zn, Cu, Fe)
Plant withstand better for environmental stress
Inhibit fungal pathogens
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Outcomes of nursery experiments
10
Treatments T65 , BFBF + T65, & T65
Improved soil C, K, available P, MBC and nitrogenase activity
Improved plant growth and physiological parameters
Chemical Fertiliser inputs could be reduced by half
2/19/2013
6
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Field application of BFBFs
11
Objectives
To investigate the influence of BFBF on soil, plant
nutrient status and yield of immature tea
To explore possibility of reducing
synthetic/chemical nutrient inputs
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Treatment combinations and methodology
12
T1: TRI recommended quantity of fertiliser (T750) & 4 appli.
ns
(CF)
T2: BFBF + Half of recommended chemical fertiliser & 4 appli.
ns
(BFBF + CF)
T3: Half recommended chemical fertiliser & 4 applications ( CF)
BFBF
F3B: Bacteria isolated from Arachis pintoii
Bacteria isolated from tea rhizosphere
Fungi isolated from tea rhizosphere
Bacillus megatherium or
FR: Bacteria isolated from refuse tea
Bacteria isolated from Mana roots
Bacillus megatherium
Three locations: Rpura (TRI 4042), Elkaduwa (TRI 2025), Kottawa
(TRI 4006)
F
3
B
FR
2/19/2013
7
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Dosage and frequency of application
13
Fertilizer application
3 months interval (T750)- 1750 kg/ha/annum
BFBF application
1-2 weeks after fertilizer application
By knapsack sprayer without nozzel
(50 mls in tank- required 25 tanks/ha)
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Development of N
2
fixing bacteria in a soil (in vitro)
14
100% Chemical Fertiliser suppressed growth of N
2
fixing bacteria
2/19/2013
8
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
BFBF on soil available P
15
P availability increased with BFBF + CF (T2)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Ratnapura Elkaduwa Kottawa
Available P (ppm)
CF BFBF + CF CF
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
BFBF on soil exchangeable K
16
Exchangeable K increased with BFBF + CF (T2) in
comparison to CF (T1) in Elkaduwa and Kottawa
0
40
80
120
160
200
Ratnapura Elkaduwa Kottawa
Soil potassium (ppm)
CF BFBF + CF CF
2/19/2013
9
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
BFBF on soil organic carbon (%)
17
No significant difference in OC content between CF (T1) and
BFBF + CF (T2)
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
Ratnapura Elkaduwa Kottawa
Soil organic carbon (%)
CF BFBF + CF CF
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Microbial biomass carbon (g/g)
18
Improved microbial biomass carbon in BFBF + CF (T2)
0
40
80
120
160
200
240
Ratnapura Kottawa
Microbial Biomass Carbon (MBC g/g)
CF BFBF + CF CF
2/19/2013
10
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Cation Exchange Capacity - (CEC) Ratnapura soil
19
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
CF BFBF + CF CF
CEC (mili eq/100g)
Improved CEC in BFBF + CF (T2)
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Soil moisture status (%)
20
Improved soil moisture status in BFBF + CF (T2)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Ratnapura Elkaduwa Kottawa
Soil Moisture %
CF BFBF + CF CF
2/19/2013
11
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Transpiration rate (milimol cm
-2
s
-1
)
21
0
5
10
15
20
25
Ratnapura Elkaduwa Kottawa
Transpiration rate
CF BFBF + CF CF
Reduced transpiration rate in BFBF + CF (T2)
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Yield data - 2
nd
year after bringing into bearing
(Made tea kg/ha)
22
No significant difference between CF1 (T1) and BFBF + CF (T2)
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
Ratnapura Elkaduwa Kottawa
2nd year yield after harvesting commenced
CF BFBF + CF CF
2/19/2013
12
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
N removal (kg/ha)
23
No significant difference in N removal between CF(T1) and
BFBF + CF (T2)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Ratnapura Elkaduwa Kottawa
N removal (kg/ha)
CF BFBF + CF CF
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
P removal (kg/ha)
24
No significant difference in N removal between CF(T1) and
BFBF + CF (T2)
In Ratnapura trial, BFBF + CF (T2) was higher than CF (T1)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Ratnapura Elkaduwa Kottawa
P removal (kg/ha)
CF BFBF + CF CF
2/19/2013
13
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
K removal (kg/ha)
25
Increased K removal in BFBF + CF (T2) at Ratnapura and Kottawa.
In Elkaduwa trial CF (T1) was higher than BFBF + CF (T2)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Ratnapura Elkaduwa Kottawa
K removal (kg/ha)
CF BFBF + CF CF
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Mg removal (kg/ha)
26
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Elkaduwa Kottawa
Mg removal (kg/ha)
CF BFBF + CF CF
Increased Mg removal in BFBF + CF (T2) at Kottawa Trial.
In Elkaduwa trial CF (T1) was higher than BFBF + CF (T2)
2/19/2013
14
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Effect of BFBFs on soil N
2
O emission and
carbon storage (Ratnapura soil)
27
Treatments N
2
O
mol/g soil/4hr
Soil C Storage
(tC/ha)
Rec. fert.
(CF)
12.3 8.38
BFBF +
rec.fert.
ND 10.92
rec.fert 4.21 9.43
In BFBF + CF (T2): N
2
O emission was not detected.
Carbon storage was higher (2t/ha) in BFBF + CF (T2) than (CF) T1
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Benefits
28
Increased soil exchangeable K, Available P, CEC and
MBC
Reduction of leaching
Improved soil carbon level
Improved soil moisture level
Reduced transpiration rate
Savings (National level)
2/19/2013
15
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Cost benefits (Rs/ha/yr)
29
Application of
Chemical
Fertiliser
Che. Fer.
Cost
kg/ha Unit Price
Amount
(Rs.)
Total
Rs./ha/yr
4
th
yr T750 1750 50.5 88,375.00
Worker 4*15 572 34,320.00 88375.00
Application of
BFBF
Tanks/ha
BFBF 4*25tanks 90 9000.00
(50ml/tank)
Worker 4*3 572 6864.00
T750 875 50.5 44187.5060051.50
Worker 4*15 572 34320.00
Savings 28323.50
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Conclusions
30
a) As compared to CF (T1) plants treated with BFBFs + CF (T2)
showed
Similar productivity level in immature tea,
Improved physiological performances,
Increased soil exchangeable K, available P, soil OC, MBC and CEC.
Increased soil carbon storage,
Reduce greenhouse gas emission (N
2
O)
b) Tested BFBFs are cost effective
c) There is a potential to replace recommended fertiliser use by
application of BFBFs.
2/19/2013
16
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
Acknowledgements
31
Dr KG Prematileke, Head, Agronomy Division
Dr G P Gunaratne, Head, SPND
Dr M A Wijeratna, OIC, LCS
Mr APDA Jayasekera
Ms ETWP Prematunge
Ms S N Wijesekera
Mr U P Abeysekera
Ms L A S P Jayasinghe
Prof. G Seneviratne, IFS, Hantane
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka
32
2/19/2013
17
Tea Research Inst i t ut e of Sri Lanka 33
Net C accumulation in plant, soil, and
C leached