INVESTIGATION OF RHIZOBIUM AS A BIOFERTILIZER ON THE GROWTH AND

YIELD OF BITTER MELON (MOMORDICA CHARANTIA) IN AMMENDED SOIL

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

ABDULLAH SAUQI BIN SUHAMI

(2022610924)
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONS) IN PLANTATION TECHNOLOGY AND
MANAGEMENT

SUPERVISOR: WAN ABDUL RAHIM WAN AHMAD

FACULTY OF PLANTATION AND AGROTECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY

TECHNOLOGY OF MARA

2024

SUPERVISOR VERICATION
………………………………………
OFFICIAL STAMP
 TABLE OF CONTENT

TABLE OF CONTENT.........................................................................................................................2
CHAPTER 1...........................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................3
1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY...............................................................................................3
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT...................................................................................................7
1.3 RESEARCH OBEJECTIVE.......................................................................................................7
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE STUDY............................................................................................................7
1.5 LIMITATION OF STUDY.........................................................................................................8
CHAPTER 2...........................................................................................................................................9
LITERATURE REVIEW......................................................................................................................9
2.1 PEAT SOIL..................................................................................................................................9
2.2 BITTER MELON........................................................................................................................9
2.3 RHIZOBIUM AS A BIOFERTILIZER...................................................................................10
2.4 PALM OIL MILL EFFLUENT................................................................................................10
CHAPTER 3.........................................................................................................................................11
METHODOLOGY...............................................................................................................................11
3.1 EXPERIMENTAL SITE...........................................................................................................11
3.2 PLANTING MATERIAL..........................................................................................................11
3.3 TREATMENT............................................................................................................................11
3.4 EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN.....................................................................................................12
3.5 PARAMETER OF RESEARCH..............................................................................................12
3.6 RESEARCH FRAMEWORK...................................................................................................13
3.7 GRANT CHART........................................................................................................................14
CHAPTER 4.....................................................................................................................................15
EXPECTED OUTCOME................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES.................................................................................................................................16
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.0 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Fertilizer are the vital components towards modern agriculture sector, it’s significantly
enhanced the crop growth and yield. Nowadays, there are two main type of fertilizer which
commonly use in today agriculture sector. Although their both serve to improve the fertility
and the productivity of the crop, their impact to environment differ in several ways. There are
certain advantages and disadvantages of using inorganic fertilizer in terms of crop growth,
public health, and environmental quality (Maguire and Alley, 2009). Organic and inorganic
elements that provide vital nutrients for plant growth are referred to as fertilizer. Chemical
fertilizer is the manufactured nutrient fertilizer that come in concentrated in readily available
form of nutrient. Typically, these fertilizers contain high concentration of nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium which are essential for plant growth and productivity. This type of
fertilizer can bring the benefits such as quick release of nutrient, precision of nutrient
provided and immediate availability for plants to absorbs, in which cause the increase of crop
yields. However, their environmental impact is considerable to be worried. Chemical
fertilizer often causes nutrient leaching and run off which lead to water pollution and
eutrophication of aquatic system. This nutrient run off often overloaded and cause the
excessive algae growth and depleting the amount of the oxygen in the water bodies.
Moreover, the volatilization of ammonia and emission of nitrous oxide gases also contribute
to air pollution and climate change. In addition to decreasing soil organic matter, upsetting
soil microbial populations, and causing soil acidity, the frequent application of chemical
fertilizers can also damage soil fertility and health.

1.1 TYPE OF FERTILIZERS.

1.1.1 Organic fertilizer
Organic fertilizer is derived from the natural resources such as compost, manure, bone meal
and green manure. They release the nutrient more slowly compared to chemical fertilizer.
Although the rate of nutrient release is slow compared to chemical fertilizer it brings many
environmental benefits such as improving soil structure, enhancing moisture retention, and
promoting the growth of beneficial soil organisms. They improve soil health by increasing
organic matter content and supporting diverse microbial communities, which enhance
nutrient cycling and soil fertility. Organic fertilizers also reduce the risk of nutrient leaching
and runoff, aligning nutrient release more closely with plant uptake needs and thus
minimizing water pollution and eutrophication. Additionally, organic fertilizers help
sequester carbon in the soil, contributing to climate change mitigation. However, organic
fertilizers have limitations, including lower and less predictable nutrient content compared to
chemical fertilizers, often requiring larger quantities to achieve similar results. The
decomposition process of organic
materials can also release methane, a greenhouse gas, though typically less significant
compared to emissions from chemical fertilizers. Due to the growing knowledge of the
harmful effects that using inorganic fertilizer had on the environment and human health many
farmers have switched to utilizing organic fertilizer. Among the organic fertilizer that farmers
nowadays use, the application of rhizobium for the crop enhancer are really getting
recognition world widely. The use of Rhizobium biofertilizer can be traced back on 1980
through the development of biofertilizer. Its application compromises the ability to enhance
yield and growth of plant similar to through the application of chemical fertilizer.
1.1.2 Biofertilizer
Rhizobium is a genus bacterium in soil that forms mutual symbiotic relationship with
leguminous plant crop, including beans, peas, lentils, plant and soybeans. The mutualistic
interaction between this bacteria and leguminous plant crop is important to the natural
nitrogen cycle and significantly reduces the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizer. The
legume-rhizobia symbiosis contributes approximately 33 until 46 Tg of Nitrogen (N) per year
globally (Herridge, 2008). As of right now, nodule forming microsymbionts have been linked
to 21 different bacterial taxa (Wang et al., 2019a). The alpha proteobacteria's major bacterial
genera, including Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Azorhizobium, Mesorhizobium, Ensifer
(Sinorhizobium), Neorhizobium, Pararhizobium, and Allorhizobium collectively referred to
as "rhizobia" are home to these microsymbionts. Rhizobia can form symbiotic associations
with a variety of legumes. Likewise, symbiotic associations can be formed by species of the
beta- rhizobia Cupriavidus, Paraburkholderia, and Trinickia with members of the
Papilionoideae and Caesalpinioideae families (LPWG, 2017; Sprent et al., 2017). The
infection of root hairs by Rhizobium bacteria is the first step in the symbiotic relationship
between Rhizobium and leguminous plants. The bacteria penetrate the root hairs and cause
the development of specialized structures called root nodules, which are the site of BNF.
Rhizobium bacteria in these nodules transform atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia
(NH3), a type of nitrogen that is easily assimilated by plants. Because nitrogenase is an
oxygen sensitive enzyme, the microaerobic environment of the root nodules is perfect for its
activity, with catalysing this process. Rhizobium biofertilizers' main advantage is its capacity
to organically raise the nitrogen content of soil. Increased agricultural yields and plant
development are the results of this improved soil fertility, which doesn't have the negative
environmental effects of chemical nitrogen fertilizers. Additionally, by boosting beneficial
microbial activity and adding more organic matter to the soil, Rhizobium biofertilizers can
enhance soil health. Thus, an agricultural ecosystem becomes more robust by improving soil
structure, water retention, and nutrient cycling.

Figure 1 Rhizobium fertilizer,(Source;

Bulk Agro Chem. (n.d.)
1.2 PEAT SOIL ISSUE IN MALAYSIA

About 2.6 million hectares make up Malaysia's peatlands (Mutalib et al. 2002). With more than
1.6 million hectares of peat as shown in the figure 1.2, Sarawak, one of the two Malaysian
states on the island of Borneo, has the most. Peat soil is formed from decaying organic
matter. It has nutritional value which have essential nutrient for plant growth. Its capacity to
hold water is quite useful in areas with variable rainfall, since it minimizes the requirement
for frequent irrigation. Nevertheless, there are disadvantages as well as advantages.
Extraction by humans exacerbates the non-renewable nature of peat soil due to its slow
production rate. Disturbances or drainage can cause subsidence, putting ecosystems and
infrastructure at risk. These activities also contribute to habitat loss and the release of stored
carbon, which worsens climate change. Insufficient nutrients could require fertilizers, which
would raise the cost of farming. While peat soil has benefits for fertility, water retention, and
carbon sequestration, but its delayed production, negative effects on the ecosystem, and
nutrient imbalances highlight the need for sustainable management techniques to maintain
its benefits while reducing its negatives.

Figure 1.2 Distribution of Figure 1.3 Distribution of lowland peatlands in Malaysia

peatland in Malaysia (Source: Department of Agriculture

1.3 BITTER MELON AND RISING OF DEMAND

Bitter melon or widely known as “Peria Katak” in Malaysia. The vegetable is widely planted
in Asia. The Bitter Melon is a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae.
Bitter melons are tiny to medium-sized gourds with an oblong form, tapering slightly at the
ends, and an average length of 6 to 30 cm. Depending on the kind, the gourd's surface can be
deeply wrinkled, smooth, pale green, and ridged, or it might be rough, dark green, and
extensively textured with bumps and warts. There might be a waxy covering on the gourd's
skin, and some of the rarer varieties of bitter melon have a white coloration. Beneath the thin
epidermis, big, cream-colored seeds and spongy pith surround a centre chamber of crisp,
watery, pale green flesh. Bitter melons have a harsh, astringent, and vegetal flavour; they are
collected when they are young and green. Even though, the bitter Melon are widely known
for the side dish in Malaysian, the demand for medicine from Bitter Melon is increasing as
years goes by. Bitter melon is an excellent source of vitamin C to strengthen the immune
system, boost collagen
production, and reduce inflammation. The melons are also a good source of vitamin A to
maintain healthy organ functioning, potassium to balance fluid levels within the body,
provide some calcium to protect bones and teeth, and contain lower amounts of folate, iron,
zinc, and fibre. Beyond vitamins and minerals, Bitter melons contain Cucurbitacins,
compounds in the flesh that give the gourd its bitter flavour. The export for the Bitter
Malaysia is expected to increase as the recorded exported Bitter Melon in Malaysia on 2023
was “3483 tonnes and with a total of market share of 0.64% for about 11700 tonnes
(figure1.4) compared to other Asian countries” (Tridge,2023). The amount of export from
Malaysia is still smaller compared to other Asian countries and research for sustainable for
Bitter Melon need to be widely done to increase the quality and productivity of the vegetable.
Furthermore, due to the rising of healthy lifestyle more people aware and wanted a healthy
food for their consumption. The demand for organic Bitter Melon planting up soar, rising the
urgency of suitable sustainable bitter melon planting. There for this study is conducted to
investigate and identify the propriate sustainable planting for Bitter Melon plant by using the
application of Rhizobium as Bio-Fertilizer.

Figure 1.4 Bitter Melon (Souce; Elangor Fruit

Valley. (n.d.).)

Figure 1.5 EXPORT AND VOLUME OF BITTER MELON, SOURCE; Tridge. (n.d.). Bitter Gourd in Malaysia.
1.4 PROBLEM STATEMENT

The sustainable cultivation of crops in some areas remain an unsolved issue, especially in
areas with specific soil qualities like peat soil. Conventional farming methods, such as the
application of chemical fertilizers, fail to maximize crop quality and output while also
contributing to environmental deterioration. The Bitter melon plant is becoming a popular
plant due to the growing demand for this commodity as a culinary. In addition, Malaysia
exports less bitter melon than other Asian nations, which emphasizes the need for creative
solutions to raise the productivity and sustainability of the bitter melon industry. Therefore,
research on finding and using sustainable planting methods for bitter melon is desperately
needed to address these issues, with a focus on maximizing the benefits of rhizobium
biofertilizer. Through examining the effectiveness of rhizobium biofertilizer in boosting crop
productivity, reducing environmental effects, and improving soil fertility, this study seeks to
offer useful recommendations for farmers in Malaysia and nearby regions.

1.5 RESEARCH OBEJECTIVE

1.5.1 To Assess Rhizobium Biofertilizer's application on the growth of Bitter Melon.

1.5.2 To investigate the suitability of amended peat soil as a growing medium.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE STUDY

This study holds substantial significance in the realm of agriculture, offering a pioneering approach to
address pressing challenges faced by farmers and ecosystems alike. By investigating the efficacy of
rhizobium biofertilizer in bitter melon cultivation, the research aims to revolutionize conventional
farming practices and promote sustainable agricultural systems.
At its core, this study represents a pivotal step towards advancing sustainable agriculture. By
evaluating the impact of rhizobium biofertilizer on soil fertility and structure, the research seeks to
introduce eco- friendly alternatives to traditional chemical fertilizers. This shift towards sustainable
farming practices is crucial for preserving soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience, ensuring
the long-term viability of agricultural landscapes

Furthermore, the study endeavors to optimize bitter melon crop yield and quality through
empirical analysis. By assessing the effects of rhizobium biofertilizer on plant growth,
nutrient
uptake, and stress tolerance, the research aims to provide farmers with actionable insights to
enhance productivity while maintaining product quality. This not only benefits farmers
economically but also contribute to food security and supply chain resilience.
Apart from its implications for agronomy, the study has noteworthy environmental value. The
study highlights the possible advantages of rhizobium biofertilizer in terms of decreased
nutrient runoff, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions by calculating its
environmental footprint in comparison to chemical fertilizers. These results can help guide
policy debates and activities that support sustainable land management techniques, protect
natural resources, and lessen the effects of climate change.
In final terms, this research advances our understanding of sustainable agriculture and helps
shape policy. The research provides evidence-based guidelines and best practices for
rhizobium biofertilizer-based bitter melon farming, enabling stakeholders to make well-
informed decisions that strike a balance between environmental stewardship and agricultural
productivity. By doing this, it clears the path for an agricultural future that is more robust,
egalitarian, and sustainable.

1.7 LIMITATION OF STUDY

Although the purpose of this study is to investigate the possible advantages of rhizobium
biofertilizer for Bitter Melon growth in Malaysia, the results and interpretations may be
impacted by a number of constraints.

Soil variability is a major factor, to start. The many soil types found in Malaysia, which range
from sandy to clayey, can affect how well rhizobium biofertilizer works. The results of the
study in one type of soil might not apply directly to other types of soil. In a similar vein,
climate varies by location, and variables like humidity, temperature, and rainfall can impact
how well biofertilizer works. The results' ability to be applied broadly may be limited by this
regional diversity.
The second limitation is the length of the research project. It's possible that the one or two
growing seasons that this study will cover won't be enough to capture long-term effects on
crop productivity and soil health. To completely comprehend the long-term effects of
rhizobium biofertilizer on Bitter melon growth, longer-term research is required.
Third, it's possible that the study underrepresents the variety of Bitter Melon cultivars. The
effectiveness of rhizobium biofertilizer may vary throughout Bitter Melon cultivars, and the
study's scope may be restricted to a few chosen types. More extensive studies with a variety
of okra types would yield a more complete knowledge.
Another constraint is caused by uncontrollable environmental conditions. Diseases, pest
infestations, and extreme weather conditions like droughts or floods can all have a big effect
on crop productivity and growth. These unpredictable and uncontrollable elements may
introduce variability into the study's findings.
Economic analysis is not without limitations. Although the study will make an effort to
evaluate the cost-benefit ratio of applying rhizobium biofertilizer, it might not fully capture
all related costs and advantages. Externalities include environmental effects and hidden
expenses like
those associated with long-term soil health or farming practice modifications may go
unnoticed.
When evaluating the findings and formulating suggestions based on the study, these
limitations should be taken into account. Understanding these limitations will aid in
determining the research's scope and in organizing subsequent investigations to fill
in these gaps.

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 PEAT SOIL

Given worries about resource depletion and sustainability, the use of alternate substrates in
agriculture has increased. Peat and zeolite substrates are one such intriguing combination that
may help with crop productivity, especially in greenhouse environments. Because of its
ability to hold nutrients and retain moisture, peat has long been preferred in horticulture.
However, research into alternatives has been spurred by its limited availability and
environmental impact. One potential solution is zeolite, a naturally occurring mineral with
strong cation exchange and water retention capabilities. Researchers at the Lithuanian
Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry's Institute of Horticulture examined the
productivity of cucumber seedlings grown in a range of peat-to-zeolite substrate ratios. When
seedlings were nurtured in peat-zeolite mixes as opposed to peat alone, the results revealed
different traits in them. They had smaller leaf areas and were shorter, but they also had
similar aboveground dry mass and larger root masses. Curiously, the addition of zeolite had
no discernible effect on the amount of photosynthetic pigment in cucumber leaves, indicating
intricate physiological reactions to the makeup of the substrate. “Cucumber seedlings grown
on peat-zeolite substrates produced greater crop yields than those grown on peat-only
substrates, despite having poorer physiological growth indices. These results suggest that,
despite variations in seedling quality, peat-zeolite mixtures may increase crop output” (Aušra
Brazaitytė, 2019,). However, a number of questions are unresolved. To comprehend the
mechanisms underlying these variations and their long-term implications on crop growth and
development, more investigation is required. By filling in these gaps, we may learn more
about how well peat-zeolite substrates work in greenhouse agriculture, which will ultimately
improve environmental stewardship and production.

2.2 BITTER MELON

Momordica charantia, also known as bitter melon or bitter gourd, is well-known for its high
bioactive component profile and versatility as both an edible and medicinal plant (S. P. Tan,
Kha, Parks, & Roach, 2016). Bitter melon, which belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, is
native to India, China, Africa, and the Middle East, and it thrives in America's tropical climes
(Lopes et al., 2020). It is widely grown in the Asian and South American countries.
Historically, bitter melon has been used for its medicinal benefits, particularly in controlling
type 2 diabetes. Both
in vitro and in vivo studies have confirmed the anti-diabetic efficacy of bitter melon extracts
(Shivanagoudra, 2019). The growing body of research has expanded interest in identifying its
bioactive constituents due to their potential health benefits. Recent studies have investigated
the fruit's potential for treating a variety of diseases, including high blood pressure, obesity,
cancer, and even AIDS (Lopes, 2020). Bitter melon contains a high concentration of vitamins
(C, A, E, B2, B3, B9), minerals (iron, potassium, calcium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus),
and flavonoids. It is high in phenolic compounds such as gallic acid and contains saponins,
peptides, and alkaloids. Saponins, which are recognised for their ability to reduce blood
sugar, are classified into two types: steroidal and triterpenoid. Charatin is composed of two
major steroid glycosides, β-sitosterol glucoside and stigmasterol glucoside, in a 1:1 ratio (S.
P. Tan et al. 2016). Charantin, polypeptide-P, and vicine are key ingredients that contribute to
the plant's hypoglycaemic effects (Rashid, 2016). Despite its great nutritional and therapeutic
value, bitter melon's strong bitterness limits its widespread use (Deshaware, Gupta, Singhal,
Joshi, & Variyar, 2018).

2.3 RHIZOBIUM AS A BIOFERTILIZER

Rhizobium bacteria are the primary symbiotic nitrogen fixers. These bacteria can infect
legumes, causing the formation of lumps or nodules where nitrogen is fixed (Myint, 2016).
The host plant obtains a constant supply of reduced nitrogen from the bacteria's enzyme
system, while the plant also provides nutrients and energy for the bacterium's operations. The
introduction of plant growth-enhancing microorganisms is beneficial in techniques for
encouraging plant growth in saline challenged soils (Tank and Saraf 2010). Plant growth-
promoting bacteria are soil and rhizosphere bacteria that can help plants grow through a
variety of mechanisms, including asymbiotic N2 fixation, ammonia production, mineral
phosphate and other nutrient solubilization, plant hormone production, and phytopathogenic
microorganism control (Tank and Saraf 2003). If the role of biofertilizers such as Rhizobium
was enlarged and increased, the demand for chemical fertilisers would decrease and the
negative environmental implications would be decreased.

2.4 PALM OIL MILL EFFLUENT

POME is a viscous, brownish liquid that contains around 95-96% water, 0.6-0.7% oils, and 2-
4% suspended particulates as a source of fruit debris, and is believed to be non-toxic
(Mohammed, R.R: Chong,2014). The brownish hue is attributable to the presence of carotene
(8 mg/L), pectin (3400 mg/L), tannin, phenolic (5800 mg/L), and lignin (4700 mg/L), making
it a nutrient-dense material. POME is acknowledged to be a big problem in all oil palm
factories due to its abundance and disposal issues. Direct discharge of POME into land causes
clogging, waterlogging of the soil, and kills flora on contact. The discharge of wastewater
into waterways depletes water resources, resulting in aquatic pollution (Hwang, T.K., 1978).
In extreme circumstances, river water turns brown with an awful odour and a sticky
consistency. Fish and other aquatic organisms are dying off, and locals are losing access to
local water supplies for home and recreational purposes. Therefore, effective strategies for
POME therapy are quite important.
 CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1 EXPERIMENTAL SITE

The study will be conducted at Plantation Unit Block N, University Technology of Mara
Sarawak, Samarahan Campus 1.

3.2 PLANTING MATERIAL

Planting material that will be use for the experiment are:

1. Bitter Melon (Momordica Charantia) seedlings
2. Rhizobium Biofertilizer
3. Polybag
4. Soil
5. Seedling Trays
6. Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME)

3.3 TREATMENT

There are 5 treatment involved in this study. The treatment will be mix with different
proportion of rhizobium fertilizer. The peat soil and palm oil mill effluent (POME) will be
mixed together with a ratio of 1:1.

1. T0: Peat Soil + POME

2. T1: Peat Soil + POME + Rhizobium Fertilizer (15g)
3. T2: Peat Soil + POME + Rhizobium Fertilizer (30g)
4. T3: Peat Soil + POME + Rhizobium Fertilizer (45g)
5. T4: Peat Soil + POME + Rhizobium Fertilizer (60g)
3.4 EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Random complete block design (RCBD) will be used as a design for this study with three treatment
replicated five times. The random complete block design will follow the table 1 shown below.

BLOCK 1 BLOCK 2 BLOCK 3 BLOCK 4 BLOCK 5

T0R1 T1R2 T4R3 T1R4 T4R5
T2R1 T0R2 T1R3 T0R4 T1R5
T1R1 T2R2 T2R3 T2R4 T0R5
T4R1 T3R2 T3R3 T3R4 T3R5
T3R1 T4R2 T0R3 T4R4 T2R5

Table 1 Random Complete Block Design

3.5 PARAMETER OF RESEARCH

The study will record several growth parameters which consist of several item such as:
1. Plant Biomass
2. Number of flowers per plant
3. Number of fruits per plant
4. Weight of fruit
5. Chlorophyll Content
6. Leaf area
 3.6 RESEARCH FRAMEWORK

SETTING UPAPPLICATION OF TREATMENT

THE EXPERIMENT WITH RANDOM
COMPLETE DESIGN (RCBD) WITH FIVE TREATMENT
REPLICATE FIVE TIMES

SELECTION AND GERMINATION OF BITTER MELON’S

SEEDLING

DATA COLLECTION AT WEEKLY INTERVAL

Chlorophyll PLANT NUMBER NUMBER NUMBER LENGTH OF WEIGHT Leaf area

content per HEIGHT OF FRUIT OF LEAF OF FRUIT’S PER OF FRUIT index
plant PER PER PLANT FLOWER PLANT PER PLANT
PLANT PER
PLANT

DATA ANALYSIS

THESIS WRITTING

Figure 2 SUMMARY OF THE RESEARCH FRAME WORK

3.7 GRANT CHART

Year 2024 2025

&
Month 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3

Literature / / /
review

Proposal / / /
preparation
Proposal /
submission
Seed / / /
preparation

Treatment / /
preparation

Discussion / / / / / / /

Thesis writing / / / / / / /

Preparation / / / / / / / / /
for VIVA
Thesis / / /
submission

TABLE 2 OF GANTT CHART OF THE STUDY

 CHAPTER 4
EXPECTED OUTCOME

The proposed of this study will address relevant issues in agriculture and sustainability by
revealing the possible advantages of using rhizobium biofertilizer in Malaysian bitter melon
growing. The study aims to prove the viability, efficacy, and benefits of using rhizobium
biofertilizer in farming methods, with an expected result based on empirical data. Referring
to the theoretical evidence of rhizobium fertilizer advantages, the bitter melon should show’s
a great growth significance. In addition to productivity and nutritional advantages, by using
the palm oil mill effluent (POME) soil fertility and structure should be improved greatly due
to the components that available on the of both (POME) and Peat Soil. Hence, the study
envisages a positive influence on soil fertility, with rhizobium biofertilizer supporting higher
organic matter content and nutrient availability. This upgrade is projected to offer long-term
benefits for sustainable agriculture, including enhanced soil moisture retention and reduced
nutrient runoff, so contributing to ecosystem resilience and climate change mitigation efforts.
Furthermore, by lowering reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, rhizobium biofertilizer
shows potential in curbing nutrient leaching, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions,
underscoring its role in fostering environmental sustainability.
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