In the heart of Nepal, a groundbreaking discovery is set to revolutionize sustainable agriculture and, by extension, the energy sector. Researchers from the Central Department of Microbiology at Tribhuvan University have identified a group of bacteria that could hold the key to enhancing crop productivity and improving soil health, particularly in silicon-deficient soils. This breakthrough, led by Elina Maharjan, could have far-reaching implications for global food security and the energy sector’s reliance on sustainable biomass.
Intensive cultivation in India has led to a significant depletion of available silicon in soils, causing stagnation in crop productivity. Silicon, a quasi-essential element, plays a crucial role in plant growth and productivity by mitigating both abiotic and biotic stresses. Maharjan and her team set out to address this issue by exploring the potential of silica-solubilizing bacteria (SiS-RB) as bioinoculants for sustainable silica management.
From a pool of 88 rhizobacterial isolates, the researchers identified 24 potential candidates with significant silica-solubilizing capabilities. These isolates not only demonstrated plant growth-promoting characteristics but also showed the ability to solubilize various minerals, including biotite, calc silicate, feldspar, muscovite, orthoclase, and quartzite. “The potential of these bacteria to solubilize silica and other minerals opens up new avenues for enhancing soil fertility and crop productivity,” Maharjan explained.
Six of these isolates—SSB-2, SSB-8, SSB-11, SSB-12, SSB-21, and SSB-24—showed remarkable promise. When applied to maize plants under in vitro conditions, these isolates significantly enhanced plant development and improved antioxidant properties, including catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia lyase activities. This enhancement in plant growth and stress resistance could be a game-changer for agriculture, particularly in regions where soil silicon levels are low.
The researchers also analyzed the genetic diversity of the 24 SiS-RB isolates using amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA). The findings revealed a considerable genetic diversity among the isolates, with similarity indices ranging from 0.11 to 0.90. This genetic diversity is crucial for developing robust and adaptable bioinoculants that can thrive in various soil conditions.
Identified using 16S rDNA sequencing, the potent silica-solubilizing plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial isolates belong to Enterobacter sp., Serratia surfactantfaciens, and Klebsiella sp. These bacteria could be the foundation for developing silicon-based biofertilizers, which would promote plant growth in silicon-deficient soils.
The implications of this research extend beyond agriculture into the energy sector. As the demand for sustainable biomass increases, the need for high-yield, stress-resistant crops becomes more pressing. Biofertilizers derived from these silica-solubilizing bacteria could enhance the productivity of energy crops, making them a more viable and sustainable source of bioenergy.
The study, published in the journal ‘Frontiers in Microbiology’ (translated from English as ‘Frontiers in Microbiology’), represents a significant step forward in the quest for sustainable agriculture and energy production. As Maharjan and her team continue their research, the potential applications of these silica-solubilizing bacteria are likely to expand, paving the way for a more sustainable and productive future.
This research not only highlights the importance of microbial diversity in soil health but also underscores the potential of biotechnology in addressing some of the most pressing challenges in agriculture and energy production. As we look to the future, the work of Maharjan and her team offers a glimpse into a world where sustainable practices and technological innovation go hand in hand, creating a more resilient and productive planet.