Scientific Journal of KubSAU

Two granular formulations of phosphorus biofertilizers combining rock phosphate and two highly active phosphate solubilizing strains: Acinetobacter species 305 and Pseudomonas species 181а have been investigated. Granules of about 3 mm in size were obtained by contact-convective drying of a mixture of ground ore, concentrated biomass of two different strains, starch and glucose. Micro granules with size of 0.1- 0.5 mm were obtained by spray drying the biomass of two different strains and application of dried cells on the particles of the ground ore. Starch was used as a binder. In the model liquid medium it was shown that the microorganisms have retained the ability to solubilize mineral phosphates in granular formulations prepared. In laboratory pot trial on marigold (Tagetes patula) it was demonstrated that both formulations of biofertilizer increased the dry weight of the plants to the same level as that of chemical fertilizer - double superphosphate, but were inferior in the concentration of phosphorus in plants. Both formulations exceeded the effectiveness of rock phosphate and biomass used as biofertilizers both separately and jointly. No significant differences were noted between the two strains and the two granular formulations both for plant dry weight, and the content of phosphorus therein. Both granular formulations of biofertilizer retained their structure and avoided aggregating over a year of storage at 4 oC. The average persistence of living cells in the microbeads was about 1.5%, in granules - 32 %