Development of liquid formulation for the dual purpose of crop protection and production

Intensive commercial farming involves excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. It is feared that practice of using chemical fertilizers and pesticides continually would result in gradual aggravation of soil fertility. Use of agriculturally important microorganisms in different combinations is the only solution for restoration of soils. A bio formulation using humic acid and a suitable microorganism namely, Pseudomonas fluorescens has been developed to replace chemical fertilizers. This liquid formulation in addition to facilitates long shelf life, zero contamination, no need of carriers, convenience of handling, storage and transportation has easy to use with irrigation. The mixed formulation of humic acid along with the microorganism namely Pseudomonas fluorescens can be used for the dual purpose viz., crop protection and enhanced production. The liquid bio-formulation was tested and compared for viability as well as its inhibitory characteristics against Fusarium oxysporum, a fungus which cause wilt of tomato. Field studies were conducted for two crop varieties- radish and tomato. Cell viability tests were carried out for the bio-formulations by plate count method. The results revealed that both in vivo and in vitro the formulation containing humic acid showed better support for the viable cells as well as leafing characteristic in pot kept in field as compared to the control. The formulation was able to inhibit the wilt of tomato caused by Fusarium thus confirming its protective property.

Liquid formulation ,

Crop production ,

Protection ,

Humic acid ,

Microorganism ,