Potential of anthill soils and their bacteria as a viable source of soil amendment, biofertilizer, and biocontrol

Abstract

The escalating costs of synthetic fertilizers and their harmful environmental impacts have sparked a growing interest in exploring sustainable alternatives for crop cultivation. This investigation explored the potential of soil from anthills as a nutrient-rich resource for use in soil amendment, biological fertilizers, and biocontrol applications. Anthill soils and nearby areas were examined for their nutrient content and bacterial diversity. The microbial isolates were also examined for plant growth-promoting (PGP) attributes by employing standard analytical procedures and cultural approaches. To test for the antagonistic properties of the screened microbial isolates against Fusarium oxysporum, the diffusible substance method was used. The results revealed that anthill soils possess higher total bacterial counts and superior physicochemical properties compared to adjacent soils, except for silt, sand, and pH levels. The study identified beneficial bacteria from genera such as Bacillus and Pseudomonas, which exhibited plant growth-promoting properties and antagonistic activity against soil Fusarium oxysporum. These findings suggest that anthill soils are nutrient-rich and harbour beneficial bacteria that can promote plant growth and suppress soil pathogens.