Bambara Groundnut Rhizobacteria Antimicrobial and Biofertilization Potential

Abstract

Bambara groundnut, an underutilized crop has been proved to be an indigenous crop in Africa with the potential for food security. The rhizosphere of Bambara groundnut contains Rhizobacteria, with the ability to grow, adapt, and colonize their surroundings even in unfavorable conditions and have not been explored for their plant growth-promoting properties. The aim of this research was to determine the potential of rhizobacteria from Bambara groundnut soil samples as either biofertilizers or biocontrol agents or both to help provide sustainable agriculture in Africa and globally. Bambara groundnut rhizospheric soil samples were collected and analyzed for their chemical composition. Rhizobacteria isolates were cultured from the soil samples. Plant growth-promoting, antifungal activities and phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA were carried out on the isolates to identify the rhizobacteria. A 2-year field study planting was carried out to determine the effect of these rhizobacteria as biofertilizers for Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean). The study was carried out in a complete randomized block experimental design with three replications. All the isolates were able to produce ammonia and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate, while 4.65, 12.28, and 27.91% produced hydrogen cyanide, indole acetic acid, and solubilized phosphate, respectively, making them important targets as biocontrol and biofertilizer agents. The field results revealed that treatment with rhizobacteria had significant results compared with the control. Characterization of selected isolates reveals their identity as B. amyloliquefaciens, B. thuringiensis, and Bacillus sp. These Bacillus isolates have proved to be plant growth-promoting agents that can be used as biofertilizers to enhance the growth of crops and consequent improved yield. This is the first time the rhizobacteria from the Bambara groundnut rhizosphere are applied as biofertilizer.

Revitalization Of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria As An Effective Bioinoculant To Enhance The Growth, Production, And Stress Tolerance Of Vegetable Crops. A Short Review

“…Vegetable crops can benefit from the use of various PGPRs as biofertilizers (F. Ajilogba et al, 2022). Vegetables require phosphorus to flourish, and the potato (Solanum tuberosum) in particular requires high soil phosphorus levels to generate significant amounts of biomass.…”

Genomic mechanisms of plant growth-promoting bacteria in the production of leguminous crops

“…Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) can likewise be produced by rhizobia and change photochemically (Lopez et al, 2019). Rhizobia has been reported to inhibit the growth of bacterial and fungal spoilage organisms affecting other crops, including soybean (Paravar et al, 2023), okra (Sharma, 2019), tomato (Adedayo et al, 2023a;Adedayo et al, 2023b), sunflower (Adeleke et al, 2021), Bambara groundnut (Ajilogba et al, 2022c), etc. Root exudates, including organic acid anions and phytosiderophores, are significant in the availability of minerals and their presence in agricultural soil (Wang et al, 2023c).…”

Carbon source utilization pattern of soil bacterial microbiome of bambara groundnut rhizosphere at the different growth stages determines soil fertility

“…Biofertilization was carried out using biofertilizers identified as Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus sp as used by Ajilogba et al (2022a).…”