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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2026)

Application of nitrogen-fixing, phosphate and potassium-solubilising rhizosphere bacteria as potential biofertilisers for maize

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.13728
Submitted
19 January 2026
Published
02-07-2026 — Updated on 09-07-2026
Versions

Abstract

The national demand for maize in Indonesia reached 14.46 million tons in 2023 and is expected to continue increasing in 2024 and 2025. To meet this growing demand, efforts to improve maize production are essential. Fertilisation is a key factor in enhancing crop productivity. However, the efficiency of nitrogen uptake from chemical NPK fertilisers is relatively low, with only 30–40 % absorbed by plants. At the same time, the remainder is lost to the environment through ammonia volatilisation and nitrate leaching. Biofertilisers containing consortia of nitrogen-fixing,  phosphate-solubilising and potassium-solubilising bacteria offer a promising alternative to reduce nitrogen loss and improve nutrient availability for maize growth. In this study, bacteria were isolated from the maize rhizosphere and roots, yielding a total of 29 isolates, comprising 12 phosphate-solubilising bacteria, 8 potassium-solubilising bacteria and 9 nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The isolate NBP2NB exhibited the highest phosphate-solubilising ability, while AKT2 demonstrated the highest potassium-solubilising capacity. Pathogenicity tests confirmed that none of the 29 isolates showed pathogenic effects on maize seedlings. In planta evaluation of bacterial consortia significantly improved maize growth compared with the control treatments, as reflected by vegetative and generative growth parameters. These findings indicate that bacterial consortia derived from the maize rhizosphere have potential aspects as biofertilisers for sustainably enhancing maize productivity.

 

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