Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and bacteria consortia from native isolates: solid and liquid formulations and their efficacy as microbial fertilizers

Aim: To combine beneficial microorganisms isolated from different regions of Türkiye into consortia that contain both arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria, and to develop prototype microbial fertilizers with strong commercial potential that reduce crops’ need for mineral fertilizers and raise their stress tolerance.

Methods: Solid and liquid formulations suited to different application methods are developed for the consortia, with biochar used in the formulations. The efficacy of the product candidates is tested in wheat trials that examine the effects of soil type, soil pH, nutrient supply and native soil microbial activity, with the liquid formulations applied to seed.

Scope: The project is run jointly by the Soil, Fertilizer and Water Resources Central Research Institute of TAGEM and Gebze Technical University. It is managed by Dr. Dilek Kaya Özdoğan of the Institute; the principal investigator on the university side is Asst. Prof. Ümit Barış Kutman.