Paenibacillus azotofixans
Paenibacillus azotofixans: Utilized in agricultural practices to promote plant growth by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, thus improving soil fertility, especially in various crop fields.
Strength
1 x 10⁸ CFU per gram / 1 x 10⁹ CFU per gram
Benefits
Nitrogen Fixation
Paenibacillus azotofixans fixes atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which enhances nitrogen availability for plants, supporting their growth and development.
Plant Growth Promotion
Paenibacillus azotofixans produces phytohormones like auxins and cytokinins, which stimulate root growth and increase the efficiency of nutrient and water uptake.
Disease Suppression
It exhibits antagonistic activity against various plant pathogens, helping to suppress diseases and enhance plant health through competition and antibiotic production.
Phosphate Solubilization
It solubilizes phosphate in the soil, making it more accessible to plants, which improves their phosphorus uptake and overall nutrient status.
Scientific References
Molecular Biology and Genetics
Genome-Scale Studies: Comprehensive transcriptome analysis of nitrogen fixation in Paenibacillus species has identified over 9,000 differentially expressed genes involved in nitrogen metabolism, energy production, and stress response. These studies provide detailed insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying nitrogen fixation efficiency. biomedcentral
Phylogenetic Analysis: Molecular phylogenetic studies based on nifH gene sequences demonstrate that Paenibacillus azotofixans nitrogen-fixing genes cluster with cyanobacterial and archaeal nitrogenases, suggesting ancient evolutionary origins and potential for high activity. journals.asm
Regulatory Mechanisms: Advanced molecular studies have elucidated complex regulatory networks involving GlnR, AdeR, and other transcriptional regulators that control nitrogen fixation in response to environmental conditions. microbialcellfactories.biomedcentral+1
Field Performance and Agricultural Applications
Multi-Location Trials: Extensive field trials across different climatic zones and soil types consistently demonstrate the effectiveness of Paenibacillus azotofixans for enhancing crop productivity. These studies provide robust evidence for the bacterium's agricultural value under diverse conditions. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih+1
Long-Term Sustainability: Research demonstrates that repeated application of Paenibacillus azotofixans maintains soil health and fertility without negative environmental impacts. Long-term studies show sustained benefits over multiple growing seasons. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih
Economic Analysis: Cost-benefit analyses demonstrate positive returns on investment from Paenibacillus azotofixans applications, with reduced fertilizer costs offsetting inoculation expenses while providing additional yield benefits. cropj
Mode of Action
Nitrogen Fixation Biochemistry
Paenibacillus azotofixans employs a highly regulated nitrogenase system consisting of multiple enzyme complexes that work together to reduce atmospheric nitrogen: journals.asm+1
Oxygen Sensitivity Management: As an obligate anaerobe process, nitrogen fixation by nitrogenase requires oxygen-free conditions. Paenibacillus azotofixans creates localized anaerobic microenvironments through rapid oxygen consumption and biofilm formation. biomedcentral
Energy Requirements: The nitrogen fixation process requires substantial ATP input (16 molecules of ATP per molecule of N₂ fixed). Paenibacillus azotofixans meets this energy demand through efficient carbohydrate metabolism and optimized electron transport chains. biomedcentral
Metal Cofactor Utilization: The nitrogenase enzyme complex requires molybdenum, iron, and sulfur cofactors. Paenibacillus azotofixans possesses specialized transport systems for acquiring and concentrating these essential metals. biomedcentral
Metabolic Integration and Regulation
Ammonium Tolerance Mechanisms: Recent research has revealed that certain Paenibacillus species can overcome ammonium inhibition of nitrogen fixation through alanine dehydrogenase (ADH) activity. This mechanism allows continued nitrogen fixation even in soils with moderate nitrogen availability. microbialcellfactories.biomedcentral
Carbon-Nitrogen Balance: The bacterium maintains optimal carbon-nitrogen ratios through sophisticated regulatory networks that coordinate nitrogen fixation with carbon metabolism. This integration ensures efficient resource utilization and sustained bacterial activity. journals.asm
Stress Response Systems: Paenibacillus azotofixans possesses multiple stress response mechanisms that maintain nitrogen fixation activity under challenging environmental conditions including drought, temperature extremes, and pH variations. microbialcellfactories.biomedcentral
Applications in Biofertilizers and Soil Health Management
Commercial Biofertilizer Formulations
Paenibacillus azotofixans serves as a key component in advanced biofertilizer formulations designed for various agricultural applications: indogulfbioag+1
Multi-Strain Consortiums: Commercial products often combine Paenibacillus azotofixans with complementary bacteria such as phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria and biocontrol agents to provide comprehensive plant nutrition and protection. indogulfbioag
Crop-Specific Formulations: Different application methods and strain combinations are optimized for specific crops and growing conditions. Soybean formulations may emphasize nitrogen fixation, while vegetable applications focus on rapid establishment and growth promotion. cropj
Delivery Systems: Paenibacillus azotofixans can be formulated for seed treatment, soil application, or irrigation system delivery, providing flexibility for different farming operations. indogulfbioag
Integration with Sustainable Farming Practices
Organic Agriculture: As a naturally occurring, non-GMO bacterium, Paenibacillus azotofixans is approved for organic farming systems and supports organic certification requirements. indogulfbioag
Precision Agriculture: The bacterium can be integrated into precision farming systems where GPS-guided application ensures optimal placement and dosing based on field-specific soil conditions and crop requirements.
Conservation Agriculture: Paenibacillus azotofixans supports no-till and reduced-tillage farming systems by maintaining soil biological activity and nitrogen availability without mechanical soil disturbance.
Paenibacillus Species Diversity and Agricultural Significance
The Broader Paenibacillus Genus
The Paenibacillus species represent one of the most diverse bacterial genera in soil ecosystems, with over 211 described species exhibiting remarkable genetic and phenotypic diversity. This diversity reflects extensive horizontal gene transfer and adaptive evolution that has enabled Paenibacillus species to colonize diverse environmental niches. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih+1
Genomic Diversity: Comparative genomic analyses reveal that Paenibacillus species possess highly variable genome sizes ranging from 3.9 to 10.4 megabases, with extensive variation in gene content even within species. This genomic plasticity underlies the genus's exceptional environmental adaptability. nature
Metabolic Versatility: Paenibacillus species demonstrate remarkable metabolic diversity, with different species specialized for various functions including nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, biocontrol, and organic matter decomposition. This metabolic diversity makes them valuable for diverse agricultural applications. nature
Nitrogen-Fixing Paenibacillus Species
Multiple Paenibacillus species possess nitrogen-fixing capabilities, each adapted to specific environmental conditions and plant associations: frontiersin+1
Paenibacillus polymyxa: Perhaps the most extensively studied species, demonstrating nitrogen fixation, biocontrol activity, and plant growth promotion across numerous crop species. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih+1
Paenibacillus borealis: Isolated from forest humus, this species contributes to nitrogen cycling in forest ecosystems and demonstrates potential for forestry applications. microbiologyresearch
Paenibacillus graminis: Associated with grass rhizospheres, this species enhances nitrogen availability in forage and turf systems. frontiersin
Additional Info
Recommended Crops: Cereals, Millets, Pulses, Oilseeds, Fibre Crops, Sugar Crops, Forage Crops, Plantation crops, Vegetables, Fruits, Spices, Flowers, Medicinal crops, Aromatic Crops, Orchards, and Ornamentals.
Compatibility: Compatible with Bio Pesticides, Bio Fertilizers, and Plant growth hormones but not with chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides.
Shelf Life: Stable within 1 year from the date of manufacturing.
Packing: We offer tailor-made packaging as per customers' requirements.
Dosage & Application
Seed Coating/Seed Treatment: Coat 1 kg of seeds with a slurry mixture of 10 g of Paenibacillus Azotofixans and 10 g of crude sugar in sufficient water. Dry the coated seeds in shade before sowing or broadcasting in the field.
Seedling Treatment: Dip seedlings into a mixture of 100 grams of Paenibacillus Azotofixans with sufficient water.
Soil Treatment: Mix 3-5 kg per acre of Paenibacillus Azotofixans with organic manure or fertilizers. Incorporate into the soil during planting or sowing.
Irrigation: Mix 3 kg per acre of Paenibacillus Azotofixans in water and apply through drip lines.
FAQ
General Biology and Function
What makes Paenibacillus azotofixans different from other nitrogen-fixing bacteria?
Paenibacillus azotofixans possesses multiple nifH genes that provide redundancy and enhanced nitrogen fixation under diverse conditions. Unlike rhizobial bacteria that require specific legume hosts, Paenibacillus azotofixans can associate with a wide range of crop species and fix nitrogen as a free-living organism. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih+1
How does Paenibacillus azotofixans survive in different soil conditions?
As a spore-forming bacterium, Paenibacillus azotofixans can survive extreme conditions including drought, temperature fluctuations, and chemical stress by forming resistant endospores. This resilience ensures long-term survival and activity in agricultural soils. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih
Can Paenibacillus species work together with other soil bacteria?
Yes, Paenibacillus species often work synergistically with other beneficial soil bacteria. They can enhance the effectiveness of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, complement rhizobial nitrogen fixation in legumes, and support overall soil microbial diversity. ssrn
Agricultural Applications and Management
Which crops benefit most from Paenibacillus azotofixans application?
Paenibacillus azotofixans benefits all recommended crop types including cereals, millets, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, and fruits. Benefits are particularly pronounced in nitrogen-deficient soils and crops with high nitrogen requirements such as leafy vegetables and grains. indogulfbioag
How quickly can farmers expect to see results from Paenibacillus azotofixans?
Initial benefits typically become visible within 2-4 weeks of application as enhanced root development and plant vigor. Yield benefits accumulate throughout the growing season, with maximum effects observed at harvest. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih
Is Paenibacillus azotofixans compatible with other agricultural inputs?
Paenibacillus azotofixans is compatible with bio-pesticides, bio-fertilizers, and plant growth hormones but should not be applied simultaneously with chemical fertilizers or pesticides that may harm bacterial viability. indogulfbioag
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
Does Paenibacillus azotofixans have any environmental risks?
Paenibacillus azotofixans is a naturally occurring soil bacterium with no known environmental risks. It contributes to soil health and biodiversity rather than causing environmental harm. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih
How does using Paenibacillus species contribute to sustainable farming?
Paenibacillus species reduce dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, lower greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer production, improve soil health, and support biodiversity. This contributes to more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural systems. aimspress+1
Can Paenibacillus azotofixans help with climate change mitigation?
Yes, by reducing the need for energy-intensive synthetic fertilizer production and improving soil carbon sequestration through enhanced root development, Paenibacillus azotofixans contributes to climate change mitigation efforts. aimspress
Product Selection and Application
How should Paenibacillus azotofixans products be stored?
Store products in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. The product maintains stability for up to one year from manufacturing when stored properly. indogulfbioag
What is the optimal application timing for Paenibacillus azotofixans?
For maximum benefit, apply Paenibacillus azotofixans at planting through seed treatment or soil application. Early application allows the bacteria to establish and begin nitrogen fixation as plants develop their root systems. indogulfbioag
Can organic farmers use Paenibacillus azotofixans?
Yes, Paenibacillus azotofixans is approved for organic farming systems as it is a naturally occurring, non-GMO bacterium that supports organic certification requirements. indogulfbioag
