Utilization of Groundnut Shell as a Carrier for Bacillus Megaterium in Bio-Fertilizer Production

The growing demand for sustainable agricultural practices has led to increased interest in biofertilizers as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers. Biofertilizers rely on microbial inoculants to enhance plant nutrient availability, but their effectiveness depends significantly on the carrier material used for microbial survival and application. This study investigates the potential of groundnut shell as a carrier for biofertilizer production, addressing both agricultural productivity and waste management challenges. Groundnut shells, an abundant agricultural byproduct, were processed and inoculated with Bacillus megaterium, a phosphorus-solubilizing bacterium, to evaluate their viability as a microbial carrier. Experimental trials on maize (Zea mays) showed that plants treated with groundnut shell-based biofertilizer exhibited improved growth parameters, including increased stem thickness, leaf count, and chlorophyll intensity compared to the control. The findings highlight groundnut shell as a viable and sustainable carrier material, offering a dual benefit of enhancing crop productivity while mitigating agricultural waste. This study underscores the potential for integrating agricultural waste into biofertilizer production to promote sustainable farming practices. Keywords: Sustainable Agriculture, Microbial Carrier, Waste Management, Agricultural byproduct