Andi Irmadamayanti¹, Syafruddin^1*, Nurasiah Djaenuddin¹, Ramlah Arief¹, Amran Muis¹, Nurnina Nonci¹, Erwin Najamuddin¹, Herawati¹, Fatmawati¹, Suwarti¹, Herniwati¹, Paesal¹, Yustisia¹, Marcia B. Pabendon¹, Lesty Ayu Bidhari¹

¹Research Centre for Food Crops, Research Organization for Agricultural and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency (NRIA), Cibinong Science Center, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor KM. 46, Cibinong, Bogor, West Java 16911 Indonesia

 

*Corresponding author’s email: syaf012@brin.go.id

Received: 24 October 2025 / Revised: 04 March 2026 / Accepted: 14 March 2026 / Published Online: 04 April 2026

 

Abstract

 

Zinc is an essential micronutrient for maize plants; its deficiency reduces growth and yield. The use of zinc-solubilizing rhizobacteria (ZSR) to address Zn deficiency is an eco-friendly alternative. This study aims to select ZSR potential as biofertilizers to enhance corn growth. Rhizobacterial isolates were obtained from maize rhizospheres in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, and screened for their ability to solubilize Zn in media supplemented with Zn₃(PO₄)₂, ZnO, and ZnCO₃. Capable isolates of solubilizing Zn in all types of media selected for maize growth testing. It was identified that among 46 Zn-solubilizing isolates, six isolates were active in all three media: Bn.1.7 (Klebsiella sp.), Bn.1.11 (Serratia sp. strain EB340), Btg.1.5 (Citrobacter freundii strain KSSN 2.2), Btg-1.6 (Serratia marcescens strain NPK2), Btg.2.3 (Bacillus sp.), and Jpt.3.7 (Lysinibacillus sp.). Isolates Btg.2.3 (Bacillus sp.) and Jpt.3.7 (Lysinibacillus sp.) demonstrated the greatest dissolution capacity and markedly increased Zn solubility in liquid media across all insoluble Zn forms and incubation periods. These isolates were applied in a pot experiment, and they significantly improved growth parameters, including plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight, compared to the control and other isolates. These findings suggest that Btg.2.3 and Jpt.3.7 have potential as biofertilizers for crop production. Furthermore, Zn₃(PO₄)₂-based media outperformed other media for screening rhizobacteria capable of solubilizing various forms of Zn in the soil.

 

Keywords: Biofertilizer, Environment friendly, Rhizobacteria, Corn, Zinc

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