Exploration of Bacteria in Red Chili Plant Soil with Potential as Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR)

  • Miladiarsi Miladiarsi Plant Protection Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarbaru, Indonesia http://orcid.org/0009-0009-1524-9232
  • Muhammad Rizal Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarbaru, Indonesia http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4680-8422
  • Padil Wijaya Agroecotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarbaru, Indonesia http://orcid.org/0009-0003-0604-4100
Keywords: Nitrogen, Phosphate, Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), Rhizobacteria

Abstract

Soil fertility depends on the availability of sufficient nutrients for plant absorption. Chemical fertilizers can be used to provide sufficient N and P, but this affects soil health. The presence of rhizobacteria act as biofertilizers by increasing nutrients and altering soil formation, especially in the phosphate and nitrogen cycles. Phosphate-solubilizing and nitrogen-fixing bacteria play a role in increasing soil fertility and improving unstable soil properties. This study aims to identify rhizobacteria that have the potential as PGPR to increase N and P levels in the soil. Soil samples were collected randomly at a depth of 10 cm around chili plant roots. Bacteria were isolated using serial dilution and cultured on Pikovskaya medium. A total of 27 isolates produced clear zones with the highest solubility index and were inoculated on Nitrogen-Free Bromthymol Blue Agar (NFB) to evaluate N fixation through a color change from green to blue, as well as hypersensitivity tests on tobacco plants. Isolates showing the highest P solubility, highest N fixation ability, and no necrosis in tobacco were inoculated into sterile soil to analyze compound changes. Soil N content was measured using the Kjeldahl method, while phosphate levels were analyzed using the Bray I and HCl methods. The results of the study showed that the addition of KE2.15 isolate to the soil after 4 weeks of application increased the total organic N and available P content, making it a potential biofertilizer.

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Published
2025-09-30
How to Cite
Miladiarsi, M., Rizal, M., & Wijaya, P. (2025). Exploration of Bacteria in Red Chili Plant Soil with Potential as Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). Acta Solum, 3(3), 144–150. Retrieved from http://jtam.ulm.ac.id/index.php/actasolum/article/view/3419
Section
Articles