Effect of potassium solubilizing bacteria (Bacillus cereus) on growth and yield of potato

Potassium solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are able to dissolve K from K-minerals and enhance plant growth and yield. A field experiment was carried out during 2017/2018-2018/2019 growing seasons in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. This study aims to assess the performance of bio-fertilization (Bacillus cereus) as PSB on the growth of potato (Kara Spp) and availability of N, P, and K. Potato plants were fertilized with K-feldspar and inoculated with PSB. The results showed that the PSB significantly increased the plant height (PH), branches number (BN), and shoot dry weight by about 15%, 27%, and 26%, respectively, compared to the untreated one. Soil available K increased by 42% as a result of PSB inoculation, moreover, K uptake by potato tubers increased by 62% in compassion with untreated plants. Leaf N, P, and K concentrations as well as the uptake were significantly increased in the plants inoculated with PSB compared to the un-inoculated plants. The graded weights of potato were increased by 20%, 26%, and 25%, for large, medium, and small size of tubers, respectively as a result of applying of bio-fertilizer. The bio-fertilization of potato withBacillus cereussignificantly increased the total yield of potato by 21% above the untreated plants. The application of K-feldspar (12% total K2O) at a rate of 240 kg K2O ha(-1)to potato inoculated withBacillus cereusgave a total tuber yield of 40 ton ha(-1).

Automated summary

Potassium solubilizing bacteria significantly enhance the growth and yield of potato plants, as well as increase the availability of potassium in the soil. The application of PSB also results in higher uptake of N, P, and K by potato plants, leading to increased tuber yield.