Journal of Agriculture
and Environmental Sciences

Effects of Bacillus Species Biofertilizer Alone and in Combination with Chemical Fertilizers on the Growth and Development of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Marianus Evarist Ngui, Maya Melati

Abstract
Bacillus species are rhizosphere bacteria that can fix N2, solubilize insoluble soil phosphates, and synthesize auxin, a hormone that promotes plant growth. A field research was carried out in the growing season of 2018/19 at the Bogor Agricultural University Experimental Station. The objectives of the study were to determine the effects of biofertilizer derived from Bacillus species, both standalone and in combination with NPK and UREA fertilizers, on root growth, plant height, and tillers development of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The experiment was arranged in a split-plot design, with plots arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) consisting of three replications. Main plots were treated with fertilizers and consisted of 7 rates, while sub-plots consisted of paddy varieties. The findings revealed that rice plants fertilized with only Bacillus species biofertilizer, as well as those fertilized with a combination of Bacillus species biofertilizer and chemical fertilizers, were the longest and largest in volume at harvest. The root length and its volume were the shortest and lowest, respectively, in control-treated rice plants. In addition, the growth of rice plants treated with 75% of (NPK + UREA) + 4 l/ha of BF, 100% of (NPK + UREA) + 4 l/ha of BF, and 100% of (NPK + UREA) showed significant differences from those treated as control and those fertilized solely with Bacillus species biofertilizer. The number of tillers was 27 on rice plants fertilized with 75% of (NPK + UREA) + 4 l/ha of BF, 100% of (NPK + UREA) + 4 l/ha of BF, and they were significantly different compared to other treatments.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jaes.v12n2a2