Description
The study examined the microbial populations in Beejamrit over 7 days of incubation. Bacterial populations increased significantly after 3 days, peaking at 5 days. Actinomycetes and fungi populations declined steadily. Plant-beneficial bacteria like free-living nitrogen fixers and phosphate solubilizing bacteria reached maximum populations after 4-5 days of incubation. Also tracked changes in organic carbon, soluble protein, pH and indole acetic acid (IAA) content over 7 days. Organic carbon and soluble protein depleted rapidly in the first 2 days. pH decreased gradually from alkaline to neutral. IAA concentration increased, peaking at 4 days.
Findings
Beejamrit provides a dynamic microbial environment that evolves over time. The peak microbial activity occurs around 4-5 days of incubation, contrary to the traditional overnight incubation practice. The biochemical environment of Beejamrit evolves to create optimal conditions for beneficial microbes. The changes in nutrient availability and pH likely drive the microbial population dynamics.
Stats
Bacterial population peaked at 2.43 ± 0.03×10^8 CFU/ml after 5 days
Free-living nitrogen fixers reached maximum of 2.30 ± 0.12×10^7 CFU/ml after 4 days
Phosphate solubilizing bacteria peaked at 3.63 ± 0.09×10^6 CFU/ml after 5 days pH decreased from 8.51 ± 0.03 initially to 7.49 after 4 days
IAA concentration peaked at 20.33 ± 0.06 μg/ml after 4 days Available phosphorus peaked at 151 ± 3.54 mg/ml after 4 days
IAA concentration of 20.33 μg/ml is comparable to recommended hormonal doses for crops.