Exploring the Microbial Community Dynamics of Jeevamrit Reveals the Multifaceted Roles of the Bacillus and Pseudomonas Genera in Nutrient Availability and Plant Growth Promotion in India’s Zero Budget Natural Farming
Article Type
Research Article
Publication Title
Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
Abstract
In India, zero budget natural farming (ZBNF) is gaining popularity as a unique alternative to crop growing that strives for economic viability and environmental sustainability. However, serious concerns were raised regarding the nutrient flow in this ‘nature-mimicking’ practice. In particular, the application of microbial products, such as Jeevamrit (JA), has been widely accepted among local farmers, but its role in nutrient supply remains largely unclear. Here, we aim to validate JA empirically using various physico-chemical and microbiological assays, including the 16S ribotyping method, and assess its potential to supply nutrients to crop plants in ZBNF. In this study, we report that JA is a poor plant-available macronutrient reservoir, which, however, does not adversely impact short-term soil macronutrient availability and subsequent nutrient uptake in rice under field trials in four cropping systems. Our data further indicate a substantial fold change in the microbial load of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) in soils of natural farming practices. In addition, we also establish that JA is an enriched microbial inoculum with PGPB and can also function as an effective biostimulant in rice and coriander in a controlled pot experiment. To elucidate microbial services in nutrient availability, we screened and functionally examined 18 PGPB isolates based on their N-fixation and P- and K-solubilization attributes. Several isolates also demonstrate the production of indoles in vitro, indicating their multi-layered plant growth-promoting traits. Finally, these isolates were identified as rod-shaped Bacillus and Pseudomonas species with established roles in agroecosystems. Together, this study demonstrates early evidence of the potential of PGPB in JA-stimulative nutrient supply mechanisms in ZBNF.
First Page
5836
Last Page
5852
DOI
10.1007/s42729-025-02500-1
Publication Date
9-1-2025
Recommended Citation
Mukherjee, Shibasis; Gupta, Aayushi; Nandi, Rupsha; Chakraborty, Argha; and Bhattacharjee, Aiswarya, "Exploring the Microbial Community Dynamics of Jeevamrit Reveals the Multifaceted Roles of the Bacillus and Pseudomonas Genera in Nutrient Availability and Plant Growth Promotion in India’s Zero Budget Natural Farming" (2025). Journal Articles. 5361.
https://digitalcommons.isical.ac.in/journal-articles/5361