Bio-formulation of Halotolerant Phosphate Solubilizing Enterobacter cloacae HFZ-H4 Strain to Screen Different Carrier Materials and their Shelf Life Study

The present research work was conducted to screen different carrier materials for halotolerant phosphate solubilizing Enterobacter cloacae HFZ-H4 strain to be used as bio-fertilizer formulation and study of their shelf life. Formulations of Enterobacter cloacae HFZ-H4 strain in fly-ash, saw dust and rice husk ash were screened for the better survival as bacterial bio-fertilizers formulation and result showed that Fly ash was found as best carrier material for bio-formulation and fly ash was further used as carrier material for optimization and shelf life study stored at optimized condition up to six months. Optimization of Fly ash based bio-formulation revealed that 25oC temperature and 30% moisture content were find as best condition for bio-fertilizer formulation to survive. Shelf life study in (fly ash) revealed that the population of bacteria gradually decreases with storage time and maximum population was observed at zero day (51 x 108 cfu/g) of formulation. The population of Enterobacter cloacae HFZ-H4 was declined upto 06 log at 108cfu/g after six months of storage which is within the permissible limit. From results of this study it can be concluded that the halotolerant strain of Enterobacter cloacae HFZ-H4 formulations in fly ash could be a better option for the growth and yield of the crop in sodic/saline soil.