ROLES OF BACILLUS MUCILAGINOSUS AND BACILLUS LICHENFORMIS IN ENHANCING SOIL PHOSPHOROUS SOLUBILIZATION AMENDED WITH RICE HUSK

The study was conducted to investigate the influence of Bacillus mucilaginosus and Bacillus
lichenformis on soil soil available phosphorus amended with rice husk, at Usmanu Danfodio
University Teaching and Research Fadama Farm Kwalkwalawa, Wamakko Local Government
Area, Sokoto State Nigeria, the samples were collected at a depth of 0-30cm with the aid of
Auger to make a composite from each treatment, these was replicated three times, a total of 36
samples were collected, the soil samples were analyzed for available phosphorous, and Soil pH
in the laboratory. The result shows that there were significant difference (P ≤ 0.05).
Combination of Rice husk + B. mucilaginosus and B. lichenformis with a mean pH of (6.80),
Rice husk alone has a mean pH of (6.69) and control has the lowest mean pH of (6.17), which
are all slightly acidic. Rice husk + B. mucilaginosus and B. lichenformis recorded the highest
soil available phosphorus with a mean of (0.60 g/kg) which is high, followed by Rice husk alone
with a mean of (0.52 g/kg) which is also high and control has the lowest mean (0.28 g/kg). The
use of B. mucilaginosus and B. lichenformis ameneded with rice husk in agricultural practices
enhance soil pH and phosphorous availability and improve soil quality, which may ultimately
lead to increase in crop yields.