EVALUATION OF NITROGEN FIXATION ABILITY OF Azospirillum spp. ASSOCIATED WITH SUGARCANE, MAIZE AND GUINEA GRASS AND FORMULATION OF A BIOFERTILIZER
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Date
2012
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Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Bacteria of the genus Azospirillum are considered as plant growth promoting bacteria. Nitrogen fixation by Azospirillum sp. in association with grasses and other plants has been examined. In this study, Azospirillum strains were isolated from sugarcane, maize and guinea grass. Roots and leaves samples were collected from farmer's fields near to the Uva Wellassa University. Washed solutions of roots and surface sterilized root parts were successful for the isolation of Azospirillum, than the washed solutions of leaves. The nitrogen fixing potential of ten isolates was evaluated by kjeldhal method. Nitrogen fixing efficiencies were varied from 1.08 to 1.35 mg of N per grain of malate. The highest nitrogen fixing strain was isolated from sugarcane roots.
Key words: isolation, Azospirillum, Nitrogen fixation, biofertilizer, kjeldhal
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Export Agriculture Degree Programme (EAG)