• Ms. Rani Jayram Rathod

The over-reliance on chemical fertilizers has led to significant environmental degradation and a decline in soil health, necessitating the search for sustainable alternatives. This study focuses on the production and evaluation of a lignocellulosic biofertilizer using dry leaves as a carrier material, inoculated with the bacterial strain Paenibacillus P6. The bacterial isolate was characterized for its morphological, cultural, and biochemical properties. A solid-state biofertilizer was prepared by mixing sterilized dry leaves and lignite with a Paenibacillus P6 culture and calcium chloride, allowing it to decompose for 36 days. The efficacy of the prepared biofertilizer was tested in a pot experiment using spinach (Spinacia oleracea). The bacterial strain was identified as Gram-negative, non-motile cocci, testing positive for catalase and oxidase but negative for zinc solubilization and indole acetic acid (IAA) production under the test conditions. Viability counts over 30 days indicated a sustained microbial population in the biofertilizer compared to the control. Pot trial results demonstrated that the biofertilizer treatment significantly enhanced plant growth, with a maximum shoot length of 8.5 cm and root length of 7.8 cm, compared to the control (shoot: 7.4 cm, root: 3.4 cm). This work suggests that a Paenibacillus P6-based biofertilizer using dry leaf waste is a promising, eco-friendly strategy for improving crop productivity and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Biofertilizer, Paenibacillus P6, Dry Leaves, Sustainable Agriculture, Plant Growth Promotion, Spinach.

"“Enhancing Crop Growth through a Lignocellulosic Biofertilizer Formulated with Paenibacillus P6: A Sustainable Approach”", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 3, page no.e383-e392, March-2026, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2603443.pdf

"“Enhancing Crop Growth through a Lignocellulosic Biofertilizer Formulated with Paenibacillus P6: A Sustainable Approach”", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 3, page no. ppe383-e392, March-2026, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2603443.pdf