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Graphical abstract Production of Biofertilizer and Bioprotector. Highlights • A modern biofertilizer was modeled to increase plant yield and nutrients in soil. • The new biofertilizer increases soil quality using PK rocks and organic compound. • The biofertilizer with diazotrophic bacteria and chitosan is an alternative fertilizer. • The biofertilizer was enriched in N by selected free living diazotrophic bacteria. • The bioprotector with selected Mucorales fungi may increase pathogen resistance. Abstract To improve yield and nutrient absorption, the addition of fertilizers is recommended to provide nutrients in adequate quantities. An alternative substitution for conventional fertilizer is the use of Acidithiobacillus bacteria to produce rock biofertilizer that is subsequently mixed with organic matter inoculated with diazotrophic bacteria (Beijerinckia indica) and with Mucorales fungus (Cunninghamella elegans) for nitrogen enrichment and plant protection. This study evaluates the effectiveness of microbial fertilizer on nutrient uptake and its interaction with consecutive cycles of grown lettuce on an Ultisol in the Brazilian rainforest region. The experiment used eight fertilizer treatments (biofertilizer and conventional soluble fertilizer) applied at three rates (50%, 100% and 150% of the recommended rate (RR) and a control treatment of earthworm compost (2.4 L plant−1), in four replicates. The total N, P and K in plants leaves, as well as pH, total N and available P and K in soil samples, were measured. The microbial fertilizers (biofertilizer and bioprotector) showed similar effects, as did the conventional soluble fertilizer, on nutrient uptake in the lettuce leaves and on the soil samples. A residual effect was observed, and the microbial fertilizers increase lettuce characteristics in the three cycles compared with the conventional fertilizer. We concluded that the microbial fertilizer enriched in N by inoculation with B. indica may be a viable alternative for the replacement of conventional soluble fertilizers in lettuce grown in an Ultisol of the rainforest region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of biofertilizers from rocks increases nutrients for plant nutrition without environmental pollution. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of biofertilizers from phosphate and potassium rocks mixed with organic matter (earthworm compound) inoculated with free living diazotrophic bacteria (NFB 10001) and Cunninghamella elegans (fungus with chitosan) on yield, characteristics, and nutrient uptake of banana (cv. Williams), and attributes of a Red Yellow Argisoil of the rainforest Zone of Pernambuco, Brazil. The experimental design included two biofertilizers: (a) PK rock biofertilizers plus organic matter (NPKB) and (b) bioprotector (NPKP) applied at 50, 100 and 150% of the recommended rate for banana, which were compared with soluble mineral fertilizers (NPKF) applied at the recommended rate, and earthworm compound (20 ton ha-1). The best results of the plant parameters were obtained with NPKB and NPKP applied at the highest rates (150% RR). A normal yield was produced when NPKB and NPKP were applied at the highest rates and NPKF at the recommended rate. The available P and K in the soil showed a significant fertilization effect, especially when NPKB and NPKP were applied at the highest rates. The biofertilizer and bioprotector may be alternatives to mineral soluble fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]