Biofertilizer Production from Sugarcane Bagasse Through Low-Moisture Solid- State Fermentation using Bacillus subtilis: A Sustainable Strategy for Enhancing Plant Growth

Andrea Cortez Espinoza; Azucena Bernal Gutierrez Azucena Bernal Gutierrez; Rodolfo Najarro Quintero; Nelson Villegas Soto

doi:10.22194/JGIAS/26.2114

Author(s)

Andrea Cortez Espinoza Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi,Latacunga,Ecuador

Azucena Bernal Gutierrez Azucena Bernal Gutierrez Universidad Técnica de Quevedo,Los Rìos,Ecuador

Rodolfo Najarro Quintero Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi, Latacunga, Ecuador

Nelson Villegas Soto Universidad Técnica de Quevedo, Los Rìos, Ecuador

Abstract

In response to a growing demand for more efficient integrated crop-livestock systems, this study aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of biotechnological processes that contribute to improved nutrient uptake and, consequently, increased productivity and yields. To this end, a 90-day trial was conducted under controlled conditions, comprising three treatments across 120 experimental units. This demonstrated a significant increase in nutrient uptake (+28%), which explains an improvement in feed conversion (+19%) as well as in biomass yield (+24%; P < 0.001) when compared to the control group's data. Similarly, a 31% reduction was observed in the biochemical profile, specifically in ammoniacal nitrogen values, whilst for total nitrogen the reduction was 22%, indicating improved substrate degradation. Furthermore, the environmental data, as recorded by the sensors, indicate a 17% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (primarily methane) with a consequent 14% decrease in waste. Meanwhile, the Random Forest and XGBoost models, which are based on machine learning processes, demonstrated high accuracy (R² = 0.89; RMSE = 0.12). In this regard, the most influential predictors included temperature, the C:N ratio of the substrate, and microbial load. Consequently, 73% of the total variance, as determined by multivariate analyses (PCA and PERMANOVA), confirmed that the clustering patterns could be attributed to potential biological and environmental responses. In conclusion, within biotechnological strategies, integrating experimental methods alongside the use of data science-based models is a viable option for improving sustainability and thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions within a framework of combating climate change and utilising climate-smart systems.

Publication Details

Page(s) 755-763

DOI 10.22194/JGIAS/26.2114

Published Journal: Journal of Global Innovations in Agricultural Sciences, Volume: 14, Issue: 3, Year: 2026

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Keywords

plant growth-promoting bacteria PGPB, Sugarcane bagasse, biofertilizer, Bacillus subtilis, low-moisture fermentation

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