Inorganic fertilizers are highly in demand as they increase crop growth. But the more they are used, the higher their ratio in polluting the environment. To reduce this, researchers have developed an eco-friendly fertilizer from mashed-up purple marine bacteria.
Keiji Numata from the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) and Kyoto University led the research and highlighted the effectiveness of Rhodovulum sulfidophilum (marine bacterium). According to the report, this biomass is as effective as common inorganic synthetic fertilizers. However, this one will not have the side effects and will not harm the environment.
Organic fertilizers are better options but still, they have some nitrogen content which, in the long run, affects the surroundings. The Biomacromolecules Research Team at RIKEN CSRS has been looking for a natural source of nitrogen to replace ammonia-based synthetic fertilizers. The researchers discovered purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSBs) that have enzymes to extract nitrogen from the atmosphere. It then incorporates the nitrogen into proteins.
As it is prepared using carbon dioxide and nitrogen from the air, it is thus named Air Fertilizer. Researchers have registered it to be used as an organic fertilizer in Japan and is marketed by Symbiobe Inc.
Highlights
- PNSB R. sulfidophilum was mashed to generate dried biomass from the released cellular material to prepare the fertilizer.
- Nitrogen content in PNSB fertilizer was much higher than other organic fertilizers, around 11% by weight.
- The growth of Japanese mustard spinach komatsuna (Brassica Rapa var. Perviridis) was monitored with both fertilizers.
- The mustard spinach was able to absorb nitrogen from the dried biomass.
- Further experiments showed plant growth was boosted the same by biomass fertilizer as that of nitrogen inorganic fertilizers.
- At both cool and warm temperatures, the results were almost the same for both fertilizers.
- Nitrogen content in biomass fertilizer was 4 times higher than the inorganic substitutes but soil pH and salinity remained normal.
- The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio is low, and nitrogen emission is also slow, around 60% in 30 days. This is relatively slower in comparison with inorganic fertilizers.
- This new biomass fertilizer will be needed twice the amount of nitrogen fertilizers, but CO2 and NO emissions will be lower from them.
In another research, new bacteria could reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, says NMBU researchers.
Nitrogen Fertilizers
They are commonly used to increase agricultural output and have been followed for decades. With increasing global demand, the ecological damage is also increasing. Not only this, but inorganic nitrogen fertilizers pollute the soil and degrade its quality, leading to greenhouse gas emissions and contaminating groundwater.
Eco-friendly fertilizer from mashed-up purple marine bacteria showed promising results, but these are preliminary. Other factors are needed to be considered. Its carbon footprint, application, transport, storage requirements, and disposal effects are still under examination.
Source: Utilization of lysed and dried bacterial biomass from the marine purple photosynthetic bacterium
