PRODUCTION OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC MICROBIAL BIOFERTILIZER POWDER BOUND WITH CHITOSAN FOR TESTING GROWTH OF RICE VARIETY 5451 (VIETNAMESE JASMINE)

Abstract

This research aimed to study the production of powdered photosynthetic microbial biofertilizer bound with chitosan and to test its effect on the growth of rice variety 5451 (Vietnamese jasmine). The experiment began with the preparation of four photosynthetic microbial formulations: 1) photosynthetic microorganisms with fish bones 2) photosynthetic microorganisms with shrimp shells 3) photosynthetic microorganisms with both fish bones and shrimp shells and 4) photosynthetic microorganisms without fish bones and shrimp shells. Analysis of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) nutrient content showed that formulation 3 contained the highest nutrient levels. This formulation was mixed with chitosan and processed into powder using freeze-drying. The particle size of the produced fertilizer was measured using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results revealed that the produced fertilizer particles measured approximately 11.50-50.69 micrometers. The rice cultivation experiment was conducted in 35×50×10 centimeters, plots using a Completely Randomized Design; CRD with 4 treatments and 3 replications, including commercial chemical fertilizer, commercial nano fertilizer, powdered photosynthetic microbial biofertilizer bound with chitosan, and control (no fertilizer). Fertilizer was sprayed at 25, 50, and 75 days. Results showed that rice in all treatments had a 100 percent survival rate with no statistically significant differences (P≥0.05). Growth measurements of height and tillering at 25, 50 and 75 days mostly showed no statistically significant differences (P≥0.05). At harvest (95 days), yield components including number of grains per panicle, tillering, number of panicles, panicle length, 100 grain weight and moisture content showed no statistically significant differences (P≥0.05). Therefore, the use of powdered photosynthetic microbial biofertilizer bound with chitosan should be another option for farmers to increase productivity and safety.