Han Ren, Xuezhen Chen, Xiaohong Qin, Suyang Zhang, Chengqun Lv, Jiangmin Zhou, Hualin Chen. (2024). Bacterial fertilizer and filtered sludge enhance soil fertility and plant growth in a eucalyptus plantation. Silva Fennica vol. 58 no. 5 article id 24042. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.24042

Keywords: nutrient content; Bacillus megaterium; enzyme activity; PGPR; plant yield

Highlights: Filtered sludge significantly increased eucalyptus growth, particularly after six months of application; Bacterial fertilizer significantly improved soil enzyme activities, specifically urease and sucrase; Bacterial fertilizer influenced overall soil fertility, promoting sustainable eucalyptus cultivation practices; The study indicates the potential of biofertilizers as environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical fertilizers.

Abstract | Full text in HTML | Full text in PDF | Author Info

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and filtered sludge are widely used to improve soil fertility and plant yields. In this study, we evaluated the impact of sludge and/or PGPR application on the nutrient contents and enzyme activities of the soil as well as on plant growth. We planted bare-root eucalyptus seedlings in (1) soil amended with filtered sludge from Nanning sugar factory (FS), (2) soil amended with filtered sludge + PGPR (BF), and (3) non-amended soil (control). Soil fertility and eucalyptus growth were determined after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Results demonstrated that FS treatment significantly increased eucalyptus growth compared to the control, particularly after six months. Bacterial fertilizer (BF) also increased soil urease and sucrase activities, although differences diminished over the study period. Our findings suggest that the integration of bacterial fertilizers and filtered sludge can serve as an effective and environmentally friendly strategy to improve soil health and promote sustainable eucalyptus cultivation. This research contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of bio-fertilizers in forestry practices, highlighting their potential to reduce or replace the use of chemical fertilizers while increasing plant productivity.

Ren, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035 China; Forestry College, Guangxi University, Daxue E Rd, Xixiangtang District, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004 China https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0156-0726 E-mail: renhan1225@163.com
Chen, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035 China E-mail: 21211270104@stu.wzu.edu.cn
Qin, Forestry College, Guangxi University, Daxue E Rd, Xixiangtang District, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004 China E-mail: qinxiaohong186@163.com
Zhang, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035 China E-mail: 00811091@wzu.edu.cn
Lv, Forestry College, Guangxi University, Daxue E Rd, Xixiangtang District, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004 China E-mail: lvchengqun8@163.com
Zhou, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035 China E-mail: rosechl@wzu.edu.cn
Chen, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035 China https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3043-6919 E-mail: hualin2100@wzu.edu.cn

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