Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 9 (9): 926-934, 2010ISSN 1680-5194© Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2010

Corresponding Author: Gadalla A. Elhassan, Sudan University of Science And Technology, Sudan

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Potential Production and Application of Biofertilizers in Sudan

Gadalla A. Elhassan , Migdam E. Abdelgani , Awad G. Osman ,1 2 2

Somaya S. Mohamed and Belgees S. Abdelgadir2 2

Sudan University of Science and Technology, Sudan1

National Research Centre, Sudan2

INTRODUCTIONDuring the last decades, the increased costs of fertilizerproduction coupled with the progressively increasinguse of chemical fertilizers are adding to the cost of cropcultivation. In addition, chemical fertilizers are harmfulwhen they persist in the soil and enter the food chain.Instead, an approach is adopted to introduce into thesoil potential microorganism, a practice known asinoculation. The inoculants are also known asbiofertilizers. Several microorganisms and theirassociation with crop plants are being exploited in theproduction of biofertilizers. The microorganisms whichare potential biofertilizers are symbiotic and non-symbiotic nitrogen fixing microorganisms, phosphoroussolubilizing microorganisms and silicate bacteria. Thepotential uses of biofertilizers in agriculture play animportant role of providing an economically viable levelfor achieving the ultimate goal to enhance productivity. On the other hand, the value of organic materials as asource of plant nutrients is greatly enhanced bycomposting. Composted materials are also more stableand pleasant to handle.In this paper the discussion is restricted to a review ofthe main groups of microbial biofertilizers in addition tofertilizers from the organic origin.

Symbiotic nitrogen fixationRhizobium inoculation: In a study of Rhizobial crossinoculation groups of Faidherbia albida and Acacianilotica, Acacia senegal, A. tortilis, A. seyal and A.melifera, it was found that the frequency of nodulationand total nitrogen content were maximized when eachindividual plant species was inoculated with its ownisolate of Rhizobium.In addition of NPK fertilizerbenefited Acacia spp, as it resulted in more rootnodules, when it was combined with inoculation withtheir own Rhizobium isolates (ElAtta and Osman, 1993).The impact of soil moisture, temperature and soilreaction (pH) on nodulation of six Acacia spp, A. nilotica,A. senegal, A. seyal, A. tortilis, A. melifera and A. albida(Faidherbia albida) was studied. Increasing themoisture content from 15-35% doubled the frequency ofnodulation. The frequency of nodulation increased from6.5 nodules in winter to 15.3 nodules in summer.Absolutely no nodules were produced by any plant inacidic soil (Osman and ElAtt, 1995).

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was found to respondpositively to Rhizobium inoculation in three differentlocations in Khartoum state. Yield of fresh and dry fodderwere significantly higher in inoculated plants ascompared to uninoculated control plants (Mohamed andOsman, 1996). The inoculation of faba bean with rhizobium strain TAL1400 constantly resulted in severe increments in thefresh and dry weights of shoot, root, nodules, number ofnodules, nodule dry weight, grain yield and N2 fixation.However, inoculation with Rhizobium leguminosarumsignificantly increased all these parameters (Osmanand Mohamed, 1996).Cultivation of groundnut in Western Sudan is still lackingnitrogen fertilizers. Hence three imported strains werecompared to local strains. The results indicate that, theimported Rhizobium strain has no benefits forgroundnut production in Western Sudan. Hence, thefuture research on nitrogen fixation by groundnut in thisarea should be directed to selection and identification ofthe most effective rhizobia strains from the adaptedlocal population (Ali, 2003). However, inoculation witha compatible strain of rhizobia was found toenhance nodulation, dry weight of nodules, nitrogenfixation and yield of alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Fenugreek(Trigonella foenugraecum), cluster bean (Cyamopsistetragonoloba), field pea (Pisum sativum) and commonbean (Phaseolus vulgaris) grown in dry land. It wasconcluded that, the productivity of leguminous crops indry land could be improved by Rhizobium inoculation(Abdelgani et al., 2003b).Bradyrhizobium inoculation to guar significantlyimproved nodulation and dry matter productionparticularly by locally isolated bradyrhizobia. Nitrogenfertilization improved dry matter production butdepressed nodulation. Phosphate mitigated thedepressive effect of nitrogen on nodulation and furtherenhanced its stimulatory effect on dry matter production(Mahdi and Mustafa, 2005).Investigation on nodulation of guar and five otherspecies of legumes (Cajanus cajan, Vigna unguiculata,Crotalaria saltiana and cassia occidentalis) in the Sudanindicated that although these legumes were naturallynodulated, inoculation by introduced or locally-isolatedbacterial strains improved nodulation and dry matterproduction (Mahdi and Mustafa, 2005).

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Rhizobium multi strain inoculation significantly Rhizobium co-inoculation: Inoculation of groundnut withincreased dry weight of shoots, roots and nodules andnumber of nodules of chickpea. Single Rhizobiuminoculation of Phaseolus vulgaris showed significantdifference for the studied parameters (Mohamed Ahmedet al., 2009).N methodology was used to determine the amount of15

nitrogen fixed by summer legumes guar, pigeon peaand mung bean compared to groundnut. The resultshowed that pigeon pea and guar could compete wellwith groundnut as N2-fixers. Levels of fixation were 79,77, 80 and 12% of the total crops N need for guar,groundnut, pigeon pea and mung bean, respectively(Adlan and Mukhtar, 2004).

Rhizobium inoculation and chicken manure: Inoculationof Sinorhizobium and application of chicken manure toalfalfa significantly increased plant density, forage freshyield and protein content and significantly decreasescrude fibre content (Elsheikh et al., 2006).

Rhizobium inoculation and phosphorus: Phosphorusapplication increased plant density of alfalfa, whereasRhizobium inoculation seemed to have a negative effecton plant density. Both treatments (Phosphorusapplication and Rhizobium inoculation) led to increasein seed yield components and seed yield andsignificantly increased growth parameters and improvednodulation. The introduced cultivar Pioneer 5929 wassuperior to the local cultivar Hegazi in most studiesgrowth parameters (Abuswar and Mohamed, 1997a,b).The effect of four doses of phosphorus (0, 100, 200, 300kg p2O5/ha) on the growth and forage yield of clitoria(Clitoria ternatae), lablab (Lablab purpureus) andphillipesara (Vigna trilobata) were studied. Addition ofphosphorus significantly increased plant height, numberof fruting branches/plant and fresh weight of leaves(Ibrahim et al., 1996).

Rhizobium inoculation and virus: Viral infections of fababean with Broad Bean Mottle Bromovirus (BBMV) andBean Yellow Mosaic Virus (BYMV) significantlydecreased shoot and root dry weight, number ofnodules, nodule dry weight, grain yield and N2 fixation.However, inoculation with Rhizobium leguminosarumsignificantly increased all these parameters (Elsheikhand Osman, 1995). Viral infection had an adverse effecton yield, protein content and IVPD (Babiker et al., 1995).Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus (BYMV) inoculum significantlydecreased shoot, root, nodule dry weight, nodulenumber, number of flowers and pods per plant, totalplant nitrogen and nitrogen fixation of faba bean,whereas inoculation with Rhizobium has significantlyincreased these parameters. The results also indicatedthat Rhizobium strain TAL 1397 is effective in fixingnitrogen in normal and in virus infected faba bean plants(Osman and Elsheikh, 1994).

Bradyrhizobium and Azospirillum could be a promisingtechnology for improving groundnut production giving 8%increase in yield which was almost similar to the 90%increase caused by 86 kg N/ha. The nitrogen derivedfrom the air was calculated to be about 79-80%indicating that groundnut fixed more than 70% of its Nneed from the air (Ahmed et al., 2005).Inoculation with the PSB Bacillus megatherium var.phosphatcum (Osman et al., 2007) increasednodulation, nodule dry weight, nitrogen and phosphoruscontent in shoot and fresh and dry fodder. Co-inoculationwith Rhizobium and PSB had a synergetic effectmanifested in increased nodulation, nodule dry weight,shoot dry weight and shoot nitrogen and phosphoruscontent, compared to uninoculated control (Hassan andAbdelgani, 2009).Rugheim and Abdelgani (2009) assessed the effect ofinoculation by different Rhizobium and phosphatesolubilizing bacterial strains and their interaction on yieldand seed quality of faba bean at EL-Hudeiba ResearchStation farm in north Sudan. Rhizobium inoculationindividually significantly increased yield, seed moisture,ash, crude fiber and crude protein. Phosphatesolubilizing bacteria individually significantly increasedyield, seed moisture, ash and fat in faba bean. Asynergetic effect was observed when the two types ofmicroorganisms were combined, they significantlyincreased yield and seed quality (moisture, crudeprotein, fat, crude fiber and ash content) of faba beanplants.

Rhizobium inoculation and micronutrients: Studieswere conducted to investigate the effects ofBradyrhizobium inoculation, molybdenum and zincapplication on growth and yield of groundnut. Leaf Ncontent was positively related to rhizobia effectiveness,and leaf MO content was negatively related to rhizobiaeffectiveness. Increase in applied MO and Zn levelsincreased their contents in leaves. The highest pod andseed yields were obtained from the interaction of thelowest soil Zn application and the indigenous strains-subjected plants (Hassan et al., 2006 a,b).Micronutrient fertilizers consistently gave a considerableincrease in the number of pods and consequently higheryield. Rhizobium inoculation had no significant effect onthe parameters measured. A significant interaction wasfound between cultivars and fertilizers only in leafnitrogen content (Elballa et al., 2004).

Rhizobium inoculation and salinity: Elsheikh (1998a)reported that Rhizobium inoculation has a greatpotential for improving fertility in saline soils.The effect of chemical (nitrogen and phosphorus) andbiological fertilizers (Rhizobium and VesicularArbuscular Mycorrhizae (VAM) (Glomus sp) on growth

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and symbiotic properties of faba bean under saline Rhizobium inoculation and seed composition: Elshiekhconditions were investigated. salinity significantlyreduced the shoot fresh and dry weight, number ofnodules and percentage of mycorrhizal infection. BothVAM inoculation and phosphorus fertilization significantlyincreased the shoot and root fresh weight and numberand dry weight of nodules. Inoculation with Rhizobiumsignificantly increased shoot and root fresh weight andnumber and dry weight of nodule under saline and non-saline conditions (Ahmed and Elsheikh, 1998).According to Abdelgani et al. (2003a,b), Salinity of > 4dsm significantly reduced growth of TAL 169 and two-1

local isolates: ENRRI 16A and ENRRI 16C. However,average number of viable cells per ml tended to higherin TAL 169 up to EC8 than in the total isolates Inlaboratory experiments. However, the salinity level of6dsm significantly reduced nodulation, nodule dry-1

weight and shoot nitrogen content of guar plant. Thelocally isolates strain ENRRI 16A was found to be moretolerant to salinity compare to stain TAL169.Eight Fenugreek, (Trigonella foenumgraecum) cultivarsand four Rhizobium strains were screened for their salttolerance in three types of soils. Rhizobium melilotistrains were more salt-tolerant than fenugreek cultivars.Several pot experiments were designed to study theeffect of salinity, chicken manure and nitrogen onnodulation. Application of chicken manure significantlyincreased all measured parameters. Salinitysignificantly reduced all measured parameters(Elsheikh and Forawi, 1995).

Rhizobium inoculation and fungicides: Laboratoryexperiments were conducted to study the effect ofdifferent concentrations (0, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and1000 µg/l) of the fungicides captan, thiram, luxan,fernasan-d and milcurb on inhibition of growth andcolony size of seven Rhizobium strains (4 introducedand 3 locally isolated). The effects were determined bymeasuring the colony size and the diameter of the zoneof inhibited growth. Fungicides differed in their effects onRhizobium and Bradyrhizobium strains. Captan at theconcentration of 100 and 1000 µg/l was the most toxic.All strains tolerated low fungicide concentrations (<100µg/l) but they were sensitive to high concentrations(>500 µg/l) with varying degrees of sensitivity.Rhizobium strains were more tolerant thanBradyrhizobium strains and no clear differences wereobserved between the introduced and locally isolatedstrains (Mohamed Ahmed et al., 2009).A study was conducted to investigate the effect offungicide Bayleton in some nitrogen fixing bacteria(Rhizobium, Pseudomonas, Flavobacteria).Pseudomonas putida was the most resistant to thefungicide in comparison to the other species. LD50 ofthese microbes were greater than the field dosetherefore these microbes can be used as biofertilizerswith bayleton (Osman and Abdelgani, 2005).

(2001) reported that positive results were found onplysical and chemical properties of legume seeds.Afield experiment was conducted to study the responseof four faba bean (Vicia faba L.) genotypes to Rhizobiuminoculation, nitrogen and chicken manure fertilization.With the exception of one genotype, all treatmentssignificantly increased protein content and the in vitroprotein digestibility. The Rhizobium inoculation andchicken manure fertilization significantly increased thecrude fibre and significantly decreased the carbohydratecontent (Elsheikh, 1998b). Rhizobium inoculation and/or intercropping treatmentssignificantly increased the ash, crude fibre, fat, proteincontent, moisture and tannin contents compared to theuninoculated monocrop control (Elsheikh and Ahmed,2000). On the other hand, study was conducted to investigatethe effect of Bradyrhizobium inoculation and chickenmanure and sulphur fertilization on mineralscomposition of soybean (Glycine max L). The resultsshowed that inoculation, chicken manure, sulphur andtheir interactions significantly improved both major andtrace minerals composition of the seeds. The highestvalue of each mineral was observed with either 10ton/fed chicken manure or 100 kg/fed sulphur with orwithout Bradyrhizobium inoculation (Ibrahim et al.,2008a). In addition to that, a study was carried out toinvestigate the effect of two Bradyrhizobium strains(local and imported), chicken manure fertilization (7 t/ha)and intercropping with sorghum on the chemicalcomposition and physical characteristics of soybeanseed. For both monocropping and intercroppingsystems, moisture, protein, tannin, 100 seeds weight,hydration coefficient, cookability and mineralcomposition of the seeds were increased for alltreatments while ash, fibre and carbohydrate contentswere fluctuated for both systems and treatments(Elsheikh et al., 2009).More over, a study was conducted to investigate theeffect of Bradyrhizobium inoculation, chicken manure orsulphur fertilization on physical characteristics andchemical composition of hyacinth bean seeds. Theresults indicated that hydration coefficient, cookability,moisture, ash, fat, fiber, protein, carbohydrates, majorand trace elements were increased with increasing levelof amendments (manure or sulphur) in the presence orabsence of Bradyrhizobium and the highest value ofeach parameter was observed with either 10 t/fedchicken manure or 100 kg/fed sulphur (Ibrahim et al.,2008b).

Financial studies: Results from two faba bean cultivarsshowed that Rhizobium inoculation and nitrogenfertilization significantly increased yield. However,Rhizobium inoculation gave significantly higher yield

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than nitrogen fertilization. The financial analysis showedthat both treatments were financially feasible, but the netreturns obtained from Rizobium inoculation were by fargreater than those of nitrogen fertilization for the twocultivars, Silaim and Agabat (Osman et al., 1996).

Rhizobium carrier materials: A study was carried out toassess the suitability of locally available materials ascarriers for rhizobia. It also aimed at evaluating the effectof carrier sterilization on the shelf life of inoculants.Sterilization of the carrier material enhanced growth ofrhizobia and prolonged the shelf life of the inoculum.Charcoal powder was found to be the best among thetested materials with a storage ability of 60 days at roomtemperature. Sterilized groundnut shells were betterthan sterilized Nile silt and bagasse mixture (1:1 byweight) for storage for 40 days. The combination of Nilesilt with bagasse (1:1) was better than the mixture of(3:1). Sterilized bagasse carrier could be used forstorage for 40 days while sterilized rice residues couldbe used for storage for 20 days. Nile silt alone wasfound to be the least suitable material to be used ascarrier for rhizobia (Abdelrahim et al., 2005).In another study (Elsharif and Abdelgani, 2007), filtermud from 2 local sources was tested for its efficiency asa carrier for rhizobia, compared to charcoal. The resultsshowed that filter mud from ElGenaid Sugar Factorymaintained the highest numbers of rhizobia and was thebest to be used as a carrier. Sterilization of carriermaterial showed better results compared to the non-sterilized carrier. The shelf life of the inoculants was 7weeks when kept at room temperature (with maximumlimit of 32 C).o

Commercial production of elokadin biofertilzer: Thecommercial production of Elokadin biofertilizer wasstarted in 1992 by the Biofertilization Department of theenvironment and natural resources research institute ofthe National Center for Research (NCR) (Table 1 and 2and Fig. 1)

Cyanobacteria: Very little work has been devoted toinvestigate the biofertilizer role of cyanobacteria inSudanese agriculture (Mahdi, 1993). Eco-physiologicalstudies, it was found that all cyanobacterial ordersincluding nitrogen fixers were represented in soil andwater samples taken from Khartoum and NorthKordofan states. Cyanobacterial plasticity enables themto live in a wide range of temperature, light intensity.pHand salinity. In addition, they have considerable crustingpotentials (Ali, 2010).

Mycorrhizal association: Mycorrhizae are a group offungi that include a number of types based on thedifferent structures formed inside or outside the root.These fungi grow on the roots of these plants. Seedlingsthat have mycorrhizal fungi growing on their roots survive

Table 1: Area and major crops in Sudan that fertilized byRhizobium inoculant (Elokadin)

Area Major CropsKhartoum State Alfalfa, Broad bean, Lubia, Bean,

Garden peaNorthern State Broad bean, ChickpeaRiver Nile State Lentils, Broad bean, AlfalfaBlue Nile State GuarElGadaref State Guar, GroundnutNorthern Kordofan Guar, GroundnutNorthern Darfur Alfalfa, Broad bean

Table 2: Production area from 1992-2009Year Area (Feddan)1992 2401994 3551995 17501996 28051997 11831998 8902000 22492001 14842002 4002003 19532004 5182005 20002006 7362007 22202008 24982009 1361Source: ENRRI annual scientific reports

Fig. 1: Increase in production in some corps fertilized byElokadin biofartilizer

better after transplantation and grow faster. The fungalsymbiont gets shelter and food from the plant which, inturn, acquires an array of benefits such as better uptakeof phosphorus, salinity and drought tolerance,maintenance of water balance, and overall increase inplant growth and development.

Mycorrhizal research in the Sudan: Atabani (1988)studied the effect of four mycorrhizal fungi, namelyGlomus mossae, Gigaspora margarita, Gigasporeacalospora and Acaulospora sp on hyacinth bean (Lablab

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purpureus) and soybean (Glycine max). Inoculation with Bioplant-K pseudomin, flavobacterin and mobilin) thatany of the four mycorrhizal fungi established successful are world wide used. The results revealed that Bioginsymbiotic association between these fungi and the inoculant contain Azotobacter vienlandi, Bioplant-Kcrops and resulted in improved plant performance which contained Kelbsiella planticola and Microbin containswas further enhanced in the presence of phosphate four bacterial species -Azospirillum brasiliensefertilization. According to Galal (1993), inoculation of Azotobacter vienlandi, Bacillus megatherium varcowpea with local and introduced Glomus sp VAM fungi phosphaticum and Pseudomonas aurantiaca. (Osmansignificantly enhanced plant nodulation, dry matter yield et al., 2007), mobilin contain Azomonas, flavobacterinand tissue N&P contents in silt and sandy soils. No contain flavobacterium, Pseudomin containsignificant differences were reported between the Pseudomons putida (Osman, 2003).efficiency of the introduced and the local VAM fungi. Suitability of charcoal, groundnut shells, nilesilt filtermudMahdi (1993) reviewed the use of VAM fungi as a and bagasse as carries for flavobacterium andbiofertilizer in Sudan. He suggested that VAM fungi have Azomonas was studied by Osman and Mohameda great potentiality for using as a biofertilizer. Shoots and Ahmed (2005). The results revealed that the best carrierroots dry weight and phosphorus content of Dolichos for flavobacterium was Nile silt and for Azomansbean plants increased with Glomus sp inoculation. charcoal was the best. Nitrogen fertilization at 60 and 90Glomus sp significantly reduced the number of galls kg/ha and the combined inoculation of Azospirilluminduced by the root-knot nematode M. incognita and brazilense and Bacillus polymyxa +30 kg N/hahence reduced the infestation effect of the nematodes significantly increased plant height, yield per plant,(Ahmed et al., 2009). number of seeds/plant and seed yield. It isA study was conducted to investigate the effects of recommended to use the composite inoculum +30 kgmycorrhizal inoculation and phosphorus application on N/ha since 60 kg N/ha can be spared off (Mohammed etinfection, symbiotic activity and yield of faba bean. al., 2010).Mycorrhizal infection occurred with low P concentration. IAEA funded a programme to increase the productivity ofMycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased nodule new varities of sugarcane, tomatoes, wheat and banananumber, nodule dry weight, flower set, pod production through introduction of new production packages. Non-and seed yield compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. The symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria for banana andstimulation of faba bean symbiotic activity and seed yield tomatoes were isolated by ARC, Medani. Theby mycorrhizal inoculation was suppressed by the biofertilization department started now the study of someapplication of phosphorus (Ahmed et al., 2000). local meterials as carries for these bacteria, in additionMycorrhizal inoculation and/or superphosphate to the shelf life of the inoculants for mass production.significantly increased both oil and protein content ofgroundnut seeds. Bradyrhizobium and/or mycorrhizal Phosphorous solubilizing bacteria: Thirty nine localinoculation significantly increased the ash, crude fibre, isolates of phoshorus solubilizing bacteria were isolatedIVPD and tannin content (Elsheikh and Mohamedzein, from different Sudanese soil types. The isolates were1998). characterized and identified as Bacillus megatherim varNodulation and plant growth of soybean were phosphaticum. The efficiency of those isolates undersignificantly enhanced by mycorrhization and P laboratory condition revealed that all of them canfertilization, but the effect was greater in presence of both solubilize different quantities of Ca3 (PO4)2 in 48 h. Thetreatments. Increase in mycorrhizal colonization was maximum solubilizing quantity was 66.6 ppm.associated with a corresponding increase in plant N and Charcoal, filter mud, Nile silt, Bagass and groundnutP contents (Mahdi et al., 2004). shells were used as carries for two phosphorusA study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of solubilizing bacteria, streptomyces albus and BacillusTricoderma viride, VA mycorrhiza and dry yeast, megatherium var phosphaticum. The results showedseparately and in combination as an integrated strategy that the four materials can be used as carriers. However,of Rhizctonia disease management in potato crop. VA Charcoal was found to be the most efficient carriermycorrhiza enhanced both the growth and yield of (Osman and Mohamed, 2006).measurements of Rhizoctonia inoculated potato plantsand significantly reduced the efficacious biocontrol agent Silicate bacteria: Biological potassium fertilizer isto Rhizoctonia compared to the other two organisms, yetit also significantly improved the situation of the infectedplants (Mohamed et al., 2008).

Non-symbiotic nitrogen fixers: Different micro-organisms were isolated characterized and identifiedfrom six peat based inoculants (Biogen, microbin,

efficient and non polluting biological fertilizer that ismanufactured by advanced production technology understrict quality control. It can activate Mg, Fe. Mo, P etc,releasing balanced nutrients from soil, increase fertilityof soil and also facilitates secretion of gibberellins, IAA,cytokinin and other hormones. It can improve thestructure of soil, enhance rooting of seeds and enlarge

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the shoot and branches. It is widely used in many plants, Imported biofertilizers: Although there are somefood crops, economic crop, fruits and vegetables withvaried impact on yield between 10-50% over theuntreated. Some microscopical and biochemical characteristics oftwo isolates of silicate bacteria isolated from peat-basedsilicate bacteria inoculant were carried out. The resultsrevealed that the inoculants contained two strains ofsilicate bacteria. These isolates were found to be closeto Bacillus circulans and Bacillus mucilaginous (Osman,2009).

Compost production in Sudan: There are 2 factorieswhich produce compost in Sudan: Elkhaseeb factorywith production capacity of 8000 ton/year and Elkhieratfactory with production capacity of 6000 ton/year.

Elkhierat compost productionProduction rate: In 2007 the factory started producingsmall quantities (1 t/month) applied in nurseries andhouse gardens. In 2008 the factory was established inan area of 5.5 feddans at Elselate scheme and theaverage production was 5t/month. The averageproduction rate in 2009 reached 150 t/month.

Elkhaseeb organic fertilizer: Elkhaseeb organicfertilizer is manufactured locally in El Bagairindustrial area. It is a mixture of sheep manure,farmyord manure and chicken in 1:2:1 ratio. It isheated up to 70 C for 30 min and then belettedo

(2.5, 4 millimeter), it is free from plastic materials,weeds seeds, insects, warms, nematode andpathogenic microorganisms (shigella, salmonella andE. coli). The analysis of this fertilizer proved that,heavy metals, micronutrients, sodium, potassiumchlorine, total nitrogen, C.N ratio, EC, pH, bulk density,strange materials were within the range compared tofinished compost. However, calcium carbonate,phosphorus lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose and fiberwere all over the standard range compared to finishedcompost. CEC and magnesium were lower than thestandard range. The preliminary results of the effect ofthis fertilizer on growth, yield and quality of onion,tomatoes, potatoes and wheat showed increments incrop yields and qualities in Khartoum state (Osman etal., 2009).

restrictions to import microorganisms in any formulation,there are some imported biofertilizers that contain(foreign) microorganisms are found in Sudan.

a) Effective microorganisms (EM): It is a liquidmicrobial consortium based on diluted molass. Theanalyses of the EM were conducted at BiofertilizationDepartment .ENRRI, NCR it contains yeast:saccharomyces cerevisiae, bacteria: lactic acid bacteria,photosynthetic bacteria (Rhodopseudomonas palustris,and Rhodobacter sphaeroides). It is free frompathogenic bacteria, E. coli, shigella and salmonella.

b) Zander mycohorriza: It contains six strains of VAM,nitrogen fixing bacteria and other beneficalmicroorganisms in pelleted form with different additivese.g. organic fertilizer, humic acids, cortenoides andGibberellin. Those strains were isolated from aquaticenvironment in Eastern Europe. It is packed in 10 kg tofertilize one feddan. The shelf life is 8 month at 50 C.o

The efficiency is for 15 year. It was manufactured in ArabEmirates licensed by British Company. The aboveinformations are mentioned in Zander Companybrochure.

c) Granular rhizobia inoculant: It was imported fromAustralia. It contains 3.9 x 10 cfu/g. The moisure content7

was 5%, Ash 73.20%, pH 8.74, total carbon 26.88% P2.2 ppm and N 0.37&.The analysis of the inoculant was condcuted bybiofertiliztion department, ENRRI, NCR.

Future research in biofertilizersFuture Research Areas in biofertilizers in Sudan shouldinclude the following:

Rhizobium inoculation: Further researches are requiredto study the response of Cicer aritenum, Cajanus cajan,Arachis hypogaea and Phaseolus vulgaris in Gazirascheme and rainfed areas, to Rhizobium inoculation.

Non-symbiotic nitrogen fixers: Researches arerequired to investigate the effect of non-symbiotic N fixingbacteria with different non-leguminous crops, in additionto co-inoculation with Rhizobium, Mycorrhiza,Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), Mineralfertilizers and Organic fertilizers.

Table 3: Elkhierat compost use in SudanAverage yield-----------------------------------------------------

Crop Location Area Season Rate of application Control plots Compost fertilizedOkra Selate scheme 4 fed 2008/2009 1t/fed 2t/fed 3t/fedWheat Selate scheme 6 fed 2008/2009 1t/fed 4 sac/fed 12 sac/fedCotton Gezira scheme 351 fed 2009/2010 ½ t/fed 4-5 kontar/fed 15-20 kontar/fed

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PSB, silicate bacteria and mycorrhiza: Researches are Abdelrahim, Y.M., M.E. Abdelgani and E.E. Abdelrahman,required to investigate the effects of PSB, silicatebacteria and mycorrhiza on cereals and vegetablesgrowth and yield.

ElKhaseeb and ElKhierat: More studies are required toinvestigate the effects of those organic fertilizers ondifferent crops.

Cyanobacteria: Researches are required to study theresponse of rice grown in White Nile schemes toinoculation with nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria.

Effect of inoculation: The effect of inoculation with theabove mentioned microorganisms on seed quality ofdifferent crops must be studied.

Suggestions: To promote adoption of biofertilizerproduction and use in Sudan the following suggestionsshould be taken into consideration:C Support of applied research in the field of

biofertilizer through financial support, training ofpersonnel and providing logistics.

C Continuous improvement of skills and capacitybuilding of the agricultural extensionists in theareas of biofertilizer use.

C Strengthen collaboration between the differentresearch institutions, the fedral and state ministriesof agriculture.

C Establishment of technical committees fordevelopment of production and use of biofertilizerstechnology.

C Adoption of international quality control standardsfor production of microbial inoculants.

C Establishment of extension programmes amongfarmers and agricultural companies fordissemination of biofertilizers.

C Encouragement of bioferilizers commercialproduction in Sudan.

C Close supervision from the government authoritiesto the imported biofertilizers is highly needed.

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2003a. Impact of salinity on growth and symbioticproperties of some guar rhizobia. J. Sci. Technol., 4:7-18.

Abdelgani, M.E., A.G. Osman and S.S. Mohamed, 2003b.Restoring soil fertility of desertified lands throughbiological nitrogen fixation In: Desertification in theThird Millennium (eds. A.S. Sharhan, W.W. Wood,A.S. Goudie, A. Fowler and E.M. Abdellatif). A.A.Balkima Publishers. Lisse, the Netherlands, pp:335-338.

2005. Testing the suitability of locally availablematerials as carriers for rhizobia. Gezira. J. Agric.Sci., 3: 123-136.

Abuswar, A.O. and A.S. Mohamed, 1997a. Effect ofphosphorus application and Rhizobium inoculationon two cultivars of alfalfa plant density and seedptoduction. U.K. J. Agric. Sci., 5: 1-11.

Abuswar, A.O. and A.S. Mohamed, 1997b. Effect ofphosphorus application and Rhizobium inoculationon two cultivars of alfalfa II Growth and nodulation.U.K. J. Agric. Sci., 5: 12-23.

Adlan, M.A.M. and N.O. Mukhtar, 2004. Quantifying N2

fixed by groundnut (Arachis Is hypogaea L.) ascomared to some sumer legumes using N15

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African Crop Science Society: Science andTechnology Supporting Food Security in Africa.Cape Town, South Africa 28 September-1 October2009.