Poster Presentation Australian Microbial Ecology 2019

Bio-mineral fertilizer shows potential in wheat production (#163)

Zakaria M Solaiman 1 , Paul J Storer 2 , Sunil K Misra 2
  1. SoilsWest, UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
  2. Troforté Innovations Pty Ltd, Wangara, Western Australia, Australia

Rock phosphate (RP) is a phosphorus fertilizer source and insoluble in soil1, and is being depleted at an increasing rate while the demand for food production increases2,3. Microbes play an important role to mineralize RP and release plant available phosphate4. Consequently, utilization of microorganisms to increase the availability of P in soil is an attractive proposition for developing more economically and environmentally sustainable agriculture. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi will colonize plants better if phosphate becomes sparingly available5. So, these bacterial and mycorrhizal interactions with RP are important phenomena in phosphorus utilisation efficiency (PUTE) for crop production. Novel Troforté bio-mineral fertilizer technology (mineral fertilizer and inoculated multi-strain suite of beneficial bacteria and fungi) can effectivity enhance soil fertility through a microbially-mediated controlled nutrient release mechanism.

Glasshouse and field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of the mineral fertilizer and inoculated microbes combined with a P dose-response curve (0, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0, 9.0 and 12.0% P) on growth and PUTE of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var Mace). Under glasshouse conditions, mineral fertilizer + microbes produced significant increases in mycorrhizal colonisation, wheat root and shoot biomass, shoot P uptake compared to control (no fertilizer no microbes) or mineral no microbes. Shoot P uptake was decreased at higher rates of 9-12% P (excess). Under field conditions, mineral fertilizer + microbes with RP increased grain yield and grain quality significantly over control (no fertilizer no microbes), mineral fertilizer no microbes no extra P, and mineral fertilizer + microbes with P as soluble triple superphosphate (TSP).

This research trial demonstrates that for a typical wheat program in Western Australia, a Troforté bio-mineral (mineral fertilizer/microbe) based system can be highly efficient on use of low inputs of RP (optimal rate of 3% P), and grain yield when compared to P from TSP. Further, the RP mineral program delivers an increase in gross margin >11.4% compared to TSP – demonstrating potential for economic and environmental sustainability.

  1. Bolland MDA, Gilkes RJ and Brennan RF (2001); The influence of soil properties in the effectiveness of phosphate rock fertilizers. Soil Res 39: 773-798.
  2. Cordell D, Drangert JO, White S (2009); The story of phosphorus: global food security and food for thought. Global Environmental Change-Human and Policy Dimensions 19: 292–305.
  3. Gilbert N (2009); Environment: the disappearing nutrient. Nature 461: 716–718.
  4. Carson JK, Campbell L, Rooney D, Clipson N and Gleeson DB (2009); Minerals in soil select distinct bacterial communities in their microhabitats. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 67: 318-388.
  5. Solaiman ZM and Abbott LK (2008); Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, inoculum level and phosphorus placement on growth and phosphorus uptake of Phyllanthus calycinus in jarrah forest soil. Biol Fertil Soils 44: 815-821.