Eco-friendly bio-fertilizer production from water hyacinth and chicken manure using Bacillus velezensis MN736524.1

Purpose In light of the imperative to supply additional crops to feed the world’s expanding population, chemical fertilizers are used extensively, which is detrimental to the ecosystem and human health. Organic fertilizers provide a more cost-effective and sustainable option. The present investigation reported on the isolation of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) from rhizospheric soil for the fermentation of water hyacinth and chicken waste. Since water hyacinth and chicken waste are causing major environmental pollution, they were utilized to produce cost-effective biofertilizers and tested with plant growth studies using the chilly plant. The selected bacterial strain (HB11) was found to be an effective phosphate–solubilizer and used for upcoming studies. Methods Genotypical characterization revealed that the isolate was Bacillus velezensis MN736524.1. Physio-chemical parameters such as NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium), and nutritive parameters of soil and carrier materials were analyzed. The product mixture with carrier material and bacterial inoculums was prepared in 5 different concentrations. In-vitro plant growth studies were carried out with the prepared mixture as various treatments. Results After 30 days of seed germination, the growth rate was examined in a chilly plant and a maximum growth of 38.37 ± 0.33 cm was achieved with 4% of group 3 treatment. Maximum chlorophyll content was observed in a 2% concentration of group 2 with 130.25 mg of chlorophyll a, 47.171 mg of chlorophyll b, and 177.387 mg of total chlorophyll. Conclusion From the above results, the present study concludes that water hyacinth and chicken manure inoculated with phosphate solubilizer Bacillus velezensis have effective biofertilizing activity on chilly plant growth promotion. This attempt could support from causing major environmental pollution due to chicken fecal waste and water hyacinth.