¬BIOFORTIFIED VERMICOMPOST ENRICHED WITH ENDOPHYTIC BACTERIA ENHANCES GROWTH, NUTRIENT ACQUISITION, AND SOIL HEALTH IN OKRA (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS L
Biofortification of organic amendments with beneficial microbes provides a potential solution for increasing both crop productivity and soil sustainability. The current investigation assessed the effectiveness of organic amendments-namely vermicompost (VC) and endophyte biofortified VC-in terms of growth parameters, nutrient accumulation, and soil health of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). To achieve biofortified VC, prepared from goat manure and Celosia argentea biomass, with some selected plant growth promoting (PGP) endophytic bacterial strains; it was incorporated into pot culture. Treated plants (biofortified VC and conventional VC) significantly enhanced the plant growth, biomass yield and yield attributes as compared to control. Increased accumulation of important macro- and micronutrients in treated plants revealed better nutrient availability and assimilation. Analysis of soil samples showed an increased level of soil organic carbon, nutrient status, and microbial population in the treatments where biofortified VC was applied. Successful establishment and sustenance of applied endophytic microbes within rhizosphere was further confirmed by metagenomic analysis. Conclusively, biofortified VC acted as a stable platform of PGP endophytes, which provided excellent benefits to okra. This could be proposed as a nutrient amendment for sustainable and green agriculture.