Microbial community transition in Surti buffalo-based fermented formulations sustainably enhances soil fertility and plant growth.

This study focuses on the microbial dynamics during the fermentation of a buffalo dung and urine-based fermented plant growth-promoting formulation (BPGF) and its effects on plant growth and soil health. Using Surti buffalo dung and urine, jaggery, gram flour, and soil, the formulation was fermented for up to 14 days, with metagenomic analysis revealing a microbial succession toward a Bacillus-dominated community, particularly lactic acid bacteria (LAB), by day 8. The fermentation enhanced the abundance of plant growth-promoting genes related to nutrient acquisition, phytohormone production, and stress resistance, which corresponded with significant improvements in mung bean seed germination, seedling vigor, and soil physicochemical properties, including increased organic carbon and nutrient availability. The findings highlight BPGF's potential as a sustainable biofertilizer that supports soil fertility and plant growth through natural microbial processes, advocating for further research into the specific microbial mechanisms and long-term impacts across diverse agricultural systems.