27/11/2024
Rootrow
In the present context, Rootrow is the best alternative of chemical fertilizer because of their adverse effects on the soil health. There are several alternatives available to enhance the soil fertility one of them is Azotobacter. It is a free-living N2- fixer diazotroph that has several beneficial effects on the crop growth and yield. It helps in the synthesis of growth regulating substances like auxins, cytokinin and Gibberellic Acid (GA). In addition, it stimulates rhizospheric microbes, protects the plants from Phyto-pathogens, improves nutrient uptake and ultimately boosts up biological nitrogen fixation. The abundance of these bacteria in the soil is related to many factors, mostly soil pH and fertility.
Rootrow Contents
Azotobacter min 5 x 107 CFU / gram
Lactic Acid Bacillus Probiotic 2%
Sargassum: 5%
Prebiotics: 5%
Inert Carrier: QS
Enhanced Azotobacter for Root Growth Promotion:
Azotobacter is a gram-negative, oval or spherical bacterium. It has several types of nitrogenase, including molybdenum-iron nitrogenase and a vanadium-containing type. Azotobacter can also form cysts, which are resting cells that are spherical and metabolically dormant.
Azotobacter is a free living diazotrophic, obligate aerobic bacteria, having polar flagella and forms cyst in resting stage. Primarily found in either neutral or alkaline soils, aquatic environments, and on some plants, it can fix atmospheric nitrogen and can grow on nitrogen-free medium.
Azotobacter converts atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia, which in turn is taken up and utilized by the plants (Prajapati et al., 2008). Such bacteria are immensely resistant to oxygen during nitrogen fixation due to respiration protection of nitrogenase (Hakeem et al., 2016).
It has been found that Azotobacter can change atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3) or other nitrogen compounds that plants take up and use for their growth. In return, this activity leads to increased nitrogen content in the soil, a vital nutrient for plant development.
Rootrow contains Specially optimized strains of the Azotobacter that not only fix nitrogen more efficiently but also produce higher levels of compounds that directly stimulate root growth in plants. This optimization makes this product a powerful tool for promoting root development and improving overall plant health.
Rootrow when applied through drip irrigation fixes atmospheric nitrogen in soil about 15 to 30 kg per hectare. It also produces antifungal substances which inhibits the growth of harmful fungi and result in lowering the disease occurrences.
Azotobacter can fix at least 10 μg of nitrogen per gram of glucose consumed. Nitrogen fixation requires molybdenum ions, but they can be partially or completely replaced by vanadium ions. If atmospheric nitrogen is not fixed, the source of nitrogen can alternatively be nitrates, ammonium ions, or amino acids.
While growing, Azotobacter produces flat, slimy, paste-like colonies with a diameter of 5–10 mm, which may form films in liquid nutrient media. The colonies can be dark-brown, green, or other colours, or may be colourless, depending on the species.
An optimum pH of 7–7.5 is favourable for the physiological functions of Azotobacter. but growth is sustained in the pH range from 4.8 to 8.5.
The optimum temperature for the growth of Azotobacter is 20–30°C.
Azotobacter also synthesizes some biologically active substances, including some phytohormones such as auxins, thereby stimulating plant growth. They also facilitate the mobility of heavy metals in the soil, thus enhancing bioremediation of soil from heavy metals, such as cadmium, mercury and lead. Some kinds of Azotobacter can also biodegrade chlorine-containing aromatic compounds, such as 2,4,6-trichlorophenol. The latter was previously used as an insecticide, fungicide, and herbicide, but later was found to have mutagenic and carcinogenic effects.
Rootrow for Seed Treatment
Seed Inoculated with Azotobacter helps in uptake of N, P along with micronutrients like Fe and Zn, in wheat, these strains can potentially be used to improve wheat nutrition.
Seed Treatment – Mix 5-10 gms of Rootrow in 50 – 100 ml of water, mix thoroughly with the seed and shade drying for 1 hour before sowing the treated seed.
Seedlings Treatment– Mix 5-10 gms of Rootrow per lit of water
Mechanisms of Root Growth Promotion by Enhanced Rootrow:
1. Increased Production of Plant Growth Hormones:
Enhanced Azotobacter strains are engineered to produce higher levels of plant growth-promoting hormones, such as:
a. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA): A key auxin that stimulates root elongation, cell division, and differentiation, leading to more extensive and healthier root systems. (Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA): A key auxin that stimulates root elongation, cell division, and differentiation, leading to more extensive and healthier root systems. (Auxins are plant hormones that promote cell elongation, root development, and other growth processes. They are a key class of phytohormones produced by Azotobacter bacteria that can enhance plant growth.)
b. Gibberellins: Promote root and shoot growth by stimulating cell expansion and division.
c. Cytokinins: Regulate cell division in roots and shoots, ensuring balanced growth.
By producing these hormones in larger quantities, enhanced Azotobacter strains can significantly boost root biomass and promote the development of fine root hairs, which improve nutrient and water uptake.
2. Enhanced Nitrogen Fixation:
a. Enhanced Azotobacter strains with superior nitrogen-fixing capabilities ensure a continuous supply of bioavailable nitrogen in the soil, which directly supports root growth.
b. Plants with better nitrogen availability allocate more resources to expanding their root systems, which further helps in nutrient and water absorption, leading to healthier and more resilient plants.
3. Phosphate Solubilization:
a. Enhanced Azotobacter strains has better ability to solubilize phosphate, making it more accessible to plant roots.
b. With more available phosphorus, plants develop stronger and more extensive root systems, which is crucial for early-stage plant growth and nutrient uptake.
4. Siderophore Production:
a. Enhanced Azotobacter strains produce more siderophores, improving iron availability for plants.
b. By facilitating iron uptake, enhanced Azotobacter promotes healthier and more vigorous root growth.
5. Improved Stress Tolerance:
a. Enhanced Azotobacter withstands environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, or poor soil conditions. When these bacteria are able to survive in challenging conditions, they continue to support plant roots through nitrogen fixation, hormone production, and nutrient solubilization.
b. This enhanced stress tolerance in both the bacteria and the plants results in better root growth under adverse environmental conditions, improving the resilience of crops.
6. Biofilm Formation and Root Colonization:
a. Enhanced strains form stronger biofilms, which are protective layers that help the bacteria attach more efficiently to plant roots. This ensures better colonization of the root zone (rhizosphere), where Azotobacter can directly interact with roots and provide localized benefits such as hormone secretion and nutrient supply.
b. Stronger root colonization improves the direct impact on root growth, leading to faster and more robust development.
By focusing on both nitrogen fixation and root growth promotion, enhanced Azotobacter has the potential to significantly boost plant performance, particularly in agriculture where healthier and more robust roots can make a substantial difference in plant productivity and stress resilience.
Lactic Acid Bacillus Probiotic
• They help improve soil quality, promote plant growth, and protect crops from pests and diseases, making them a valuable addition to sustainable farming practices. LAB probiotics can improve soil quality through their ability to solubilize and mobilize nutrients, making them more readily available for plant uptake. This helps to optimize nutrient cycling and improve overall soil fertility, supporting healthier plant growth and productivity.
• LAB produce organic acids that help dissolve insoluble phosphate compounds in the soil, making this essential mineral nutrient more available for plant uptake and utilization. One key mechanism is phosphate solubilization, where the probiotic produces organic acids like gluconic acid that chelate and solubilize inorganic phosphates, making them more available for plant uptake and utilization in the soil. The chelation of inorganic phosphates is a key mechanism, where LAB secrete chelating agents called siderophores that can solubilize and make phosphates more available for plant uptake and utilization.
• Specifically, they can solubilize phosphates through the production of phosphatase enzymes, making this essential mineral nutrient more available for plant uptake and utilization.
• The factors affecting phosphate solubilization by LAB include the influence of pH, where these probiotics can help solubilize phosphates by modulating the soil pH to more favourable levels.
• The acidification mechanisms of LAB, influenced by pH, are a key factor in this phosphate solubilization process, allowing for improved mineral nutrient availability in the soil.
Sargassum
• Sargassum, a type of brown seaweed, plays an important role in agriculture as a natural fertilizer and soil conditioner. It is rich in nutrients, minerals, and organic matter that can improve soil fertility and structure when applied to crops and farmland.
• Sargassum can help in Increasing Organic Matter in the soil, which is important for improving soil fertility and structure.
• Sargassum is considered an effective Soil Conditioner, which helps to increase organic matter content. Specifically, under the Increase of Organic Matter subsection, Sargassum is listed as one of Organic Matter Sources under Plant Residues and Compost categories, indicating its value as a source of organic matter for soil improvement.
• Sargassum can contribute to the pH Regulation by helping to Neutralization of Acidic Soils. The natural alkaline properties of Sargassum can help balance the pH of acidic soils, making them more suitable for plant growth and cultivation. Sargassum can help regulate and stabilize soil pH levels, which is crucial for optimal plant growth and nutrient availability.
• Sargassum contains compounds that can activate the plant hormones auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins. These hormones are responsible for various growth and development processes in plants, such as cell division, root and shoot growth, and flowering.
• Sargassum has been shown to Improve Germination, leading to an Increase in Germination Rate) of seeds and plants. This is achieved through Physiological Mechanisms, where Sargassum has been shown to stimulate Cell Division, thereby enhancing the overall germination process.
• Sargassum has been observed to promote More Vigorous Growth, resulting in Increased Length of Stems and Roots.
Rootrow Recommended Usage:
Dose 200 grams per acre.
Feed this solution through drip system or drenching of roots as per recommended dosage.
For seasonal crops apply at sowing stage or planting stage or 2 to 4 leaves stage. Single Application.
For orchards, 1st application at pre-monsoon and 2nd application at post monsoon.
Compatibility: Not compatible with fungicides and antimicrobials.
Storage: Store at Normal Storage Conditions in a dry, shaded premises at temperatures of 15°C to 25°C or, depending on climatic conditions, up to 30°C.
Some salient Features of Rootrow
• MRL / Residue: Does not leave any toxic residues.
• Nitrogen fixation: Azotobacter fixes nitrogen, which helps increase crop production.
• Nutrient cycling: Azotobacter increases nutrient availability by accelerating the mineralization of organic residues in soil.
• Plant health: Azotobacter promotes plant health by producing growth hormones, solubilizing phosphate, and managing plant disease.
• Soil quality: Azotobacter helps reclaim better soil health and can even clean up dirty water.
• Eco-friendly: Azotobacter is an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers.
