Application of a novel nanocomposite containing micro-nutrient solubilizing bacterial strains and CeO₂ nanocomposite...

Chemical fertilizers are used in modern agricultural practice to increase plant output. They possess anthropogenic compounds which are hazardous, result in poor soil quality, poor crop nutrition and pollutes the water table. Currently, food crops that lack in micro-nutrients (Zn, silicates and Se) can be enriched with micronutrients by use of fertilizers. Eco-friendly bio-fertilizers have been proved to provide a known population of microorganisms that create a mutual benefit to the plants & the rhizosphere soil. Nanomaterials are often used in plant fertilizer formulation, allowing for controlled release and targeted delivery of beneficial nanoscale components, as well as to boost plant production and reduce environmental pollutants. In the present study we identified a multipotent micronutrient solubilizing bacterium (MSB) - Pseudomonas gessardi and Pseudomonas azotoformans as a bio-fertiliser. Comparative study of the formulated MSB, with nanocomposite prepared with the soya chunks as natural carrier material and chemically synthesized cerium oxide was performed on the growth of fenugreek for its effectiveness. The SEM images of nanocomposite showed the non-uniform distribution of CeO₂ in bio-inoculant with an average size of 25.24 nm. The current study deals with increase in the shoot and root length of the fenugreek plant with only 75 ppm of CeO₂ in nanocomposite, thereby preventing bioaccumulation of Ce in soil. This work gives a potential use of CeO2 nanocomposite with MSB bio-inoculants which could be applied to soil deficient with the micronutrients that can enhance the crop yield.