Effect of selected bacteria from biogas sludge on the growth and nutrition of upland rice

This study evaluated the influence of selected superior bacterial isolates (SBI), biogas sludge, and their interactions on growth and nutrient uptake of upland rice grown in Ultisols. We used a randomized block design with two factors and seven replicates from October 2020 to April 2021. The first factor used selected SBI (B0 = untreated, B1 = nitrogen-fixing bacteria isolate (N3), B2 = phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolate (P7), B3 = isolate combination (N3+P7)). The second factor was the dosage of biogas sludge (S0 = untreated, S1 = 157.5; S2 = 315; S3 = 630 ml/polybag). The parameters were determined by ANOVA and followed by Duncan’s multiple range test at Р<0.05. The results showed that the isolate P7 significantly increased the N uptake by 20.77% and crop growth rate (CGR) of upland rice 2.81 times. Biogas sludge doses from 315 to 630 ml/polybag significantly increased plant height, uptake of N and P, total fresh and dry weight, and CGR of upland rice. The interaction between N3 and biogas sludge dosage of 630 ml/polybag significantly increased the CGR of upland rice. The application of isolates N3 and P7 and their combination with biogas sludge of 630 ml/polybag has the potential to increase the CGR of upland rice in acidic soils.