Local Bacteria Boost Wheat Growth and Yield with Iron and Phosphate
The researchers wanted to see if using iron and phosphate solubilizing bacteria as biofertilizers could help wheat plants grow better. They found bacteria in the soil that can dissolve iron and phosphate, and used them to make biofertilizers. When these biofertilizers were applied to wheat plants in a pot experiment, they significantly increased the plants' growth and yield. The plants treated with the local biofertilizers had longer shoots, more roots, more tillers, heavier seeds, more spikes, and higher yields compared to untreated plants and those treated with imported biofertilizers. This shows that using local bacteria to make biofertilizers can be a good way to help wheat plants grow better.