Volume 8, Issue 9, September – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fertilizer Powder

Formulation (Glomus mosseae) As Bio Fertilizer Raw
Materials
Wahyu Astiko*, MT Fauzi, NML Ernawati, IP Silawibawa, I Muthahanas
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mataram, Indonesia

Abstract:- The current formulations of mycorrhizal Many preparations have been made of arbuscular
biofertilizers are of low quality, have not utilized local mycorrhizal fungi powder formulations, including the
waste raw materials, have low ability to inoculate, have manufacture of arbuscular mycorrhizal biofertilizer powders
low contact area with plant roots, and have low inter-ion using the method Trip and Sieving [1], mycorrhizal
bonds, making it difficult to attach to roots and easily granulation process method with granule machine [2], and
separated from roots, thereby slowing growth, infection the method of formulation of tablets with excipients gypsum
process and short shelf life. This study aims to make and clay [3]. However, this biological fertilizer still has
arbuscular mycorrhizal fertilizer formulations into several weaknesses, including not utilizing local raw material
powder using coconut charcoal as a raw material for the waste, low ability to inoculate, low contact area with plant
manufacture of biofertilizers that are easily available, roots, and low inter-ion bonds, making it difficult to attach to
long-lasting, and of good quality. The experiments were roots and easily separate from roots, slowing down the
conducted in greenhouses and agricultural microbiology infection process and short shelf life.
laboratories, Faculty of Agriculture, University of
Mataram, Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. This fact shows that there is still a need to develop raw
Parameters measured were moisture content, number of material formulation methods that can improve the
spores per 20 g of powder, colonization percentage and characteristics of physical and chemical biological fertilizers
shelf life. The results showed that the substrate and extend the shelf life of the product. The methods that can
formulation of G. moseae isolate MAA-01 as much as be used include implementing technology to improve the
75% was mixed with 25% coconut charcoal powder until formulation process for the provision of raw materials in
homogeneous, passed a 10 mesh sieve and packed in powder form. This technology is directed at improving the
aluminum foil had a spore count of 1500 per 20 g powder, inoculum potential of biofertilizers, considering that the
a colonization percentage of 90%, water content 4.973% characteristic to be improved is the potential of the inoculum
db, and shelf life of 6 months. The resulting arbuscular in the form of spore count and percentage colonization, water
mycorrhizal biofertilizer powder formulation has high content, and storage capacity.
quality inoculum potential, high number of spores and
colonization. This product is suitable for farmers because Formulation in powder form have a high inoculating
the technology is simple, easy to manufacture, and can be speed because they have a wider contact area with plant roots
used to increase crop production on marginal land. than granules. Inter-ionic bonds are also high, so it is easily
attached to the roots and not easily separated; it can
Keywords: Arbuscular Mycorrhizae; Biofertilizer Raw accelerate the infection of the roots.
Materials; Powder Formulations.
The application of arbuscular mycorrhizal biofertilizer
I. INTRODUCTION powder can improve the physical characteristics of arbuscular
mycorrhizal biofertilizers, such as increasing the number of
Arbuscular mycorrhizal biofertilizers are not durable spores per gram of soil, the percentage of root colonization
when stored at room temperature, they are obligatory and good inoculum potency when inoculating plants, to
symbionts that require the presence of host plants, and their increase plant growth and yield [4], [5].
production does not utilize local waste materials, which are
widely available and environmentally friendly. Arbuscular The search carried out through the website
mycorrhizal biofertilizers that have been made only have a http://ep.espacenet.com and https://pdki-
shelf life of 30 days at room temperature. To increase the indonesia.dgip.go.id/index.php/paten showed that arbuscular
shelf life and economic value of this biological fertilizer, it is mycorrhizal biofertilizer powder formulations are made of
necessary to carry out adequate processing. One way is to several components, such as organic matter and clay.
make arbuscular mycorrhizal powder formulations that can However, this formulation still has weaknesses; for example,
be used as raw materials for biological fertilizers. it is difficult to crumble, and it is still difficult to unite with
the roots of plants that will be infected after being applied.
Other research results revealed that arbuscular mycorrhizal
biofertilizer powder was produced through several processing

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Volume 8, Issue 9, September – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
stages: collection, screening, isolation, formula preparation, spores every week. The research process flowchart is
and storage. Furthermore, other research results found that described in Figure 1.
the formulation of a mixture of arbuscular mycorrhizae with
Massilia sp. RK4 can increase plant growth. However, this
mixed formulation still needs to improve: it is limited to use
only in soil conditions with high salt salinity.

Some of the previous formulation findings still have

some weaknesses, such as low ability to inoculate, low
contact area with plant roots, and low ionic bonds, making it
difficult to attach to roots and easily separated from roots
thereby slowing down the infection process. The advantage
of our research finding of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fertilizer
Powder Formulation is that this biological fertilizer powder
formulation product has the potential for high-quality
inoculums, increases the ability of inoculating roots and can
increase plant growth and yield. In addition, this product
formulation has a longer shelf life, which is around 6 months
[6].

The production process of conventional arbuscular

mycorrhizal biofertilizers requires a long time, making it
difficult to obtain during the growing season and when
needed. Hence, the manufacture of arbuscular mycorrhizal
fertilizer into powder as a raw material for the manufacture
of biofertilizers, which can be easily available because it is
made from local coconut charcoal derived from coconut shell
waste, which is abundant and available throughout the year,
is important.

II. MATERIALS AND METHODS

A. Experimental Site
The experiments were conducted in greenhouses and
agricultural microbiology laboratories, Faculty of Agriculture,
University of Mataram, Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara,
Indonesia. There is a culture substrate (G. moseae isolate
MAA-01) and coconut charcoal powder as ingredients for the
formulation of arbuscular mycorrhizal biofertilizer powder. Fig. 1 Research process flowchart

B. Experimental Design C. Data Interpretation

Before the research was carried out, an exploration of Data was collected by direct observation, calculation, and
indigenous arbuscular mycorrhiza was first carried out in the description, then compared with various previous research
Village of Akar-Akar, North Lombok. The isolate was coded literature, both from national and international journals as
MAA-01 with the species Glomus mosseae. Further well as online databases such as Google Scholar,
experiments were carried out in greenhouses and laboratories Researchgate, and the Directory of Open Access Journals.
[7]. Research begins by multiplying the MAA-01 arbuscular The data obtained was then analyzed using a descriptive
mycorrhizal isolate in culture pots with maize as the host method, namely by explaining the results of the discussion
plant. and then drawing conclusions.

The second stage was the formulation of arbuscular III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
mycorrhizal fertilizer by mixing 1500 g of mycorrhizal
inoculant with 500 g of coconut charcoal powder as a carrier The manufacture of arbuscular mycorrhizal fertilizers
(3:1), then stirring until a dough was formed, then tested the produces powdered fertilizers with physical and chemical
number of spores with the wet sieving and decanting method characteristics that can be used as raw materials for the
[8], [9], and mycorrhizal colonization was carried out by the manufacture of mycorrhizal biofertilizers and are easily
method of cleaning and staining [10], moisture content by available without having to wait long.
heating method [11], and shelf life by storing arbuscular
mycorrhizal biofertilizer powder in aluminum foil packaging The process of making arbuscular mycorrhizal fertilizer
at room temperature with observed changes in the number of formulations was initiated by multiplying MAA-01
arbuscular mycorrhizal isolates in culture pots with a ratio of

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Volume 8, Issue 9, September – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
5 kg of mixed soil media and 5 kg of sterile manure (1:1). The gap between the community's mastery of
These culture pots were then inoculated with 40 g of the commodity agrotechnology and directive agrotechnology will
arbuscular mycorrhizal isolate MAA-01 per culture pot. Then determine the scale of priority for commodity development.
this culture pot is planted with corn as the host plant [12]. Failure to integrate information on community
These plants are then maintained for three months. agrotechnology mastery with information on land resources
Furthermore, after three months, the culture pots are could result in the failure of the dryland commodity
harvested and dried until the moisture content reaches 10%. development program. It has been recognized that chemical
The roots of the harvested corn are finely blended, then plant fertilizers produced by industry (factories) have
mixed evenly with the sifted soil with a 2 mm diameter sieve. contributed significantly to increasing agricultural production,
The arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculant obtained was a mixture so farmers are very dependent on these fertilizers.
of mycorrhizal spores, mycorrhizal hyphae, infected roots,
and soil containing mycorrhizae. However, this type of fertilizer has recently become a
very serious national problem because it is often unavailable
Formulation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fertilizer by mixing in the field, so it has become a social problem with
1500 g of mycorrhizal inoculant with 500 g of coconut demonstrations, hijacking of fertilizer transportation, and so
charcoal powder as a carrier (3:1), then stirring until a dough on. To overcome farmers' dependence on chemical fertilizers,
is formed. The mixture was then sieved on a ten mesh sieve it is necessary to make a breakthrough by using biological
by shaking the sieve until a wet powder was formed. fertilizers, which are cheaper and, of course, available in
Furthermore, this wet powder is dried for 12 hours. After the nature. One way that can be done is by using mycorrhizae,
mycorrhizal powder, the arbuscular powder was dried and which so far have not been studied in depth in Indonesia.
tested for the number of spores, mycorrhizal colonization,
moisture content, and shelf life. Arbuscular mycorrhizal The results of this research have created a formulation
fertilizer powder is packed on aluminum foil. With the process for indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal biofertilizer
embodiment of this research process, a powder formulation from Glomus mosseae isolate MAA-01 from Akar Akar
of arbuscular mycorrhizal fertilizer was produced that had a Village, North Lombok, with charcoal powder carrier from
spore count of 1500 per 20 g of powder, a colonization coconut waste.
percentage of 90%, a moisture content of 4.973% db, and a
shelf life of 6 months, as shown in Table 1. Mycorrhizal The process of making arbuscular mycorrhizal powder
spores and vesicles as shown in Figure 2. formulation begins with the multiplication of indigenous
arbuscular mycorrhizal isolates from Glomus mosseae isolate
Table 1. Test results of mycorrhizal fertilizer powder MAA-01 with charcoal powder carriers from coconut waste
No Test Type Test results in culture pots with 5 kg of soil mixed media and 5 kg of
1 Number of spores 1500 spores/20 g sterile manure (1:1). These culture pots were then inoculated
2 % colonization 90% with 40 g of arbuscular mycorrhizal isolate MAA-01 per
3 Water level 4,973 db culture pot. Then this culture pot is planted with corn as the
4 Shelf life 6 months host plant. These plants are then maintained for three months.
Furthermore, after three months, the pot culture is harvested,
then air-dried until the moisture content reaches 10%. The
roots of the harvested corn are finely blended, then mixed
evenly with the sifted soil with a 2 mm diameter sieve. The
arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculant was a mixture of
mycorrhizal spores, mycorrhizal hyphae, infected roots, and
soil containing mycorrhizae.

The dough was prepared by weighing 1500 g of

mycorrhizal inoculant and then adding 500 g of coconut
Fig. 2. Spores and vesicles mycorrhizal G. mosseae charcoal powder as a carrier (3:1). This mixture is stirred
with a mixer until a homogeneous dough is formed.
An agricultural commodity farming system is very Furthermore, this mixture is sieved on a 10-mesh sieve by
complex, dynamic, and constantly interacting with other shaking the sieve until it forms a powder. This powder is
systems. A systemic approach is required for the success of stored in a tin and then air-dried for 12 hours to produce a
dryland commodity farming research in an effort to find powder moisture content that is safe for storage.
strategic keys for development and, at the same time,
preserve it. Directed agrotechnology engineering for various The measurement of moisture content in the dry powder
commodities is strongly supported by research results at of mycorrhizal biofertilizer was done by heating method [11].
various agricultural research and development centers and A sample of 5 g was put into a cup whose weight was known,
other related agencies, as well as the practical experience of then dried in a vacuum oven at a temperature of 70OC until a
community leaders. constant weight is obtained. After calculating, the water
content of the powder is 4.97% db.

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Volume 8, Issue 9, September – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Testing the number of spores was carried out by wet Around 20–70% of soil CEC is generally sourced from
sieving and decanting, according to Brundrette et al. [8]. A colloids, so there is a correlation between organic matter and
sample of 100 g is immersed in a glass container for 15 soil CEC [16]. CEC organic matter is obtained from negative
minutes with 400 ml of water. After that, it is shaken with an cow manure. The main source of negative charge-cow
electromagnetic stirrer for 6 minutes, then filtered in stages manure is mainly derived from carboxyl and phenolic groups
with a lattice diameter of 300 µm, 106 µm, 53 µm, and 38 [17].
µm. The results of the last filter were washed with water
using a hand sprayer until clean. The filter results in the 38 The addition of organic matter in the form of cow
µm fraction were put into a tube centrifuge, and 45 ml of manure to the production of biological fertilizer powder also
water was added, then rotated in a centrifuge at 2000 rpm for utilizes waste charcoal coconut. Charcoal coconut contains
15 minutes. Supernatant was taken, added 25 ml of 50% activated carbon whose carbon atom configuration is freed
sugar solution was, and then rotated again in an in centrifuge from bonding with other elements, and its cavities or pores
at 2000 rpm for 10 minutes, the Daniels and Skipper are cleaned of other compounds or impurities so that the
procedure [9]. Supernatant was sieved using filtered 38 µm surface area and active center become wider or increase the
then poured into an Erlenmeyer flask to be filtered using adsorption power of liquids and gases. The ability of charcoal
filter paper. Spores produced on filter paper were placed in a coconut is expected to retain water through its large
Petri dish to count the population per 100 g of soil under a adsorption power. In addition, charcoal is hygroscopic and
stereo microscope with 40x magnification. The calculation can absorb more water [18].
results obtained an average number of spores per 100 g of
soil, 7500 spores. The beneficial interactions between roots and soil
microbes also play a significant role in manufacturing this
Calculation of the percentage of colonization was biological fertilizer powder. Beneficial soil microbes such as
carried out by cleaning and Staining from Kormanic and Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) can increase the supply of
Graw [10], which is modified. The roots were washed and plant nutrients and symbiotically interact with plant roots to
cut into about ± 1 cm, then soaked in a 10% KOH solution- absorb nutrients [19,20]. Mycorrhizal inoculation can also
water bath for 30 minutes. The roots were rinsed again in increase the efficiency of plant roots in absorbing nutrients
running water, and the remaining KOH solution was by 2.3 times [21]. Inoculation with seed coating with
discarded. After that, the roots were rewashed thoroughly and indigenous mycorrhizae can increase growth, crop production,
soaked in 5% HCl for 2 minutes. For coloring, the roots are plant N and P uptake, and nutrient availability in the corn-
soaked in trypan blue lactoglycerol 0.05% and heated to sorghum cropping pattern on dry land [22].
boiling for ± 3 minutes. Lactoglyserol trypan blue was
discarded, and the roots were stored in a film bottle The results of this study have advantages, including the
containing lactoglyserol 0.05%. The colored roots are process of making powder formulations of mycorrhizal
observed below the microscope to calculate the infection rate. biological fertilizers using only simple technology in the
The results of the calculation obtained an average form of a sieve and dryer. The tool used for drying the
colonization percentage of 90%. powder is also simple, namely in the form of a baking sheet
placed in the open air to dry it so it can be applied to farmer-
The shelf life of arbuscular mycorrhizal biofertilizer scale industries. While the raw material for manufacturing
powder was calculated by storing it in aluminum foil mycorrhizal biological fertilizer powder is widely available,
packages at room temperature. Observations of changes in it comes from coconut shell waste, which is abundantly
the number of spores were carried out every week. The available throughout the year, is environmentally friendly,
results showed that arbuscular mycorrhizal biofertilizer and can increase plant growth and yields under extreme
powder had decreased the number of spores on the 27th week conditions on dry land.
of storage. This is because arbuscular mycorrhizae are
obligate symbionts and can only survive if a host plant exists. IV. CONCLUSION
It is suspected that there was a decrease in the number of
spores at week 27 because mycorrhizae did not receive a The results showed that the substrate formulation of G.
carbon supply due to the absence of host plants [13]. moseae isolate MAA-01 as much as 75% was mixed with
25% coconut charcoal powder until homogeneous, passed a
This biological fertilizer powder contains organic 10 mesh sieve and packed in aluminum foil had a spore count
ingredients from cow manure, which have an important role of 1500 per 20 g powder, a colonization percentage of 90%,
in improving soil's physical, chemical, and biological water content 4.973% db, and shelf life of 6 months. The
properties. The role of the physical soil, among others, is as resulting arbuscular mycorrhizal biofertilizer powder
an adhesive material between soil particles to unite into soil formulation has high quality inoculum potential, high number
aggregates, increasing soil porosity and increasing soil of spores and colonization. This product is suitable for
holding capacity [14]. Adding organic ingredients is expected farmers because the technology is simple, easy to
to change the soil's structure from single-grained to lumpy, manufacture, and can be used to increase crop production on
thus increasing the degree of structure and aggregate size or marginal land.
increasing the structural class from fine to medium or coarse
[15]. In addition, the provision of organic matter can make a
real contribution to cation exchange capacity (CEC) land.

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Volume 8, Issue 9, September – 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
ACKNOWLEDGMENT [13]. Fellbaum CR, Mensah JA, Cloos AJ, Strahan GE,
Pfeffer PE, Kiers ET & Bücking H. 2014. Fungal
The authors would like to convey special thanks to the nutrient allocation in common mycorrhizal networks is
Ministry of Research and Technology of the Republic of regulated by the carbon source strength of individual
Indonesia for funding the University Flagship Applied host plants. New Phytologist, 203 (2): 646-656.
Research Projects (PTUPT) and Professor Research Scheme [14]. Adugna GA. 2016. Review on impact of compost on
for the 2023 budget year. soil properties, water use and crop productivity.
Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and
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