Effect of Azotobacter sp. inoculation on sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas L.) yield in lead-contaminated soil

Vera Oktavia Subardja, Reginawanti Hindersah, Rija Sudirja and Pujawati Suryatmana

Abstract: The presence of Pb in the soil has negative effects not only on soil health but also on the growth and yield of food crops. Azotobacter is a beneficial microbe that has the ability to reduce the availability of heavy metals in soil. This study aimed to determine Azotobacter susceptibility to Pb and their effect on the growth and yield of sweet potato grown in lead-contaminated potted soil. The susceptibility test was performed in Pb-contaminated Ashby broth. The pot experiment was carried out in a factorial randomized block design. The first factor was the dose of Azotobacter usk1 liquid inoculant (0, 10, 20, and 30 mL/pot) while the second one was the Pb contamination level (0, 100, and 200 mg/kg). The results showed that Azotobacter usk1 was resistant to 0.1 mg/kg Pb. Inoculation of 20 mL/pot Azotobacter usk1 increased sweet potatoes growth and yield in soil contaminated with 10-30 mg/kg Pb.

Keywords: Azotobacter sp, Ipomoea batatas L.; lead contamination

Date published: 2022-03-11