Isolation and Identification of Chitinolytic Bacteria from Guano for Liquid Biofertilizer Production
Annisa Wulan Agus Utami, Eka Putri Azrai, Nailul Rahmi Aulya, Tri Handayani Kurniati, Bunga Widya Martin, Juliana Muawanah, Murdianti, Salsabila Kurnia

Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia
Corresponding author: annisawulan[at]unj.ac.id

Abstract

The main aim of this research is the isolation of chitinolytic bacteria from Guano and hence the production of liquid biofertilizer. Guano is the accumulated excrement of seabirds, bats, and seals, which is rich in nutrients like nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. It has been historically used as an effective organic fertilizer due to its high concentration of these essential nutrients that promote plant growth. Guano is particularly valuable in agriculture and gardening for improving soil fertility. Based on observations using the cultivation method, a total of 10 bacterial isolates were obtained. Three isolates showed clear zones around their colonies, namely chitinolytic bacteria GG9, GG1, and GG10 on chitin agar media, indicated by the formation of a clear zone surrounding the colonies. In the treatment with Guano liquid biofertilizer, the most effective dosage was 45 ml/L of water (P4), resulting in an average root length of water spinach plants of 4.4 cm.

Keywords: Chitinolityc Bacteria, Guano, Liquid Organic Biofertilizer.

Topic: Biology