Effectiveness of morocco rock phosphate in combination with phosphate-solubilizing bacteria on oil palm seedlings

This study explores the combined application of commercial rock phosphate and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) in oil palm nurseries to enhance nutrient utilization, growth, and sustainability. Phosphate, a critical nutrient for oil palm development, often exists in non-bioavailable forms in soil. This research explores the ability of PSBs to solubilize phosphate, thus increasing its bioavailability and improving the efficiency of phosphate fertilizers. Additionally, compost enriched with PSB cultures was formulated and characterized, demonstrating promising results in nutrient composition and pathogen safety. The research identifies and characterizes two PSB strains Bacillus marisflavi and Bacillus aryabhattai through morphological observations and 16S rRNA sequencing. Compost inoculated with PSBs was analyzed, showing a pH of 6.7, electrical conductivity of 3.16 mS/cm, and a carbon- to-nitrogen ratio of 15.01:1. Key nutrient contents in the final compost included 2.4% nitrogen, 0.2% phosphorus, and 1.1% potassium, with no detectable heavy metals or pathogens. The survival rates of PSBs in compost were confirmed, with populations of 2 × 109 CFU/g for B. marisflavi and 1 × 108 CFU/g for B. aryabhattai, illustrating their adaptability to compost environments. These findings confirm the survival and proliferation of PSB within compost, highlighting its role in enhancing soil phosphorus availability and fostering sustainable agricultural practices. The study also validates the integration of rock phosphate and PSBs as a sustainable agricultural strategy, providing insights into optimizing composting conditions and improving agronomic efficiency in oil palm cultivation. The evaluates the field performance of integrating commercial rock phosphate with Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) to enhance growth and nutrient utilization in oil palm nurseries was studied. Phosphorus, a vital macronutrient for oil palm productivity, often exists in non-bioavailable forms in soil. Field trials demonstrated that combining rock phosphate with PSBs significantly improved oil palm seedling growth parameters, including shoot height, root development, and biomass accumulation. Additionally, nutrient uptake was enhanced, as evidenced by higher phosphorus content in plant tissues compared to conventional fertilization methods. The incorporation of PSBs not only increased the agronomic efficiency of rock phosphate but also improved soil health, indicated by better soil structure and elevated microbial activity levels. By facilitating the conversion of immobilized soil phosphorus into bioavailable forms, the application reduced fertilizer input requirements while maintaining optimal growth performance. These field results highlight the potential of PSBs as a bioinoculant to support sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring the long-term productivity and environmental health of oil palm plantations. The study reinforces the viability of this integrated approach as a scalable solution for nutrient management in tropical agricultural systems.

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