Fermentation of Washed Rice Water Increases Beneficial Plant Bacterial Population and Nutrient Concentrations

Washed rice water (WRW) is said to be a beneficial plant fertilizer because of its nutrient content. However, rigorous scientific studies ascertain efficiency are lacking. The purpose this study was determine the effect fermenting WRW on bacterial population and identification, measure how fermentation affects composition WRW. Rice grains were washed in volumetric water-to-rice ratio 3:1 at constant speed 80 rpm for all treatments. treatments fermented 0 (unfermented), 3, 6, 9 days. Bacterial N fixation P K solubilization abilities assessed both qualitatively quantitatively. isolated strains samples also tested catalase indole acetic acid (IAA) production ability. Significantly greater fixation, solubilization, IAA recorded after 3 days compared with other periods, increases 46.9–83.3%, 48.2–84.1%, 73.7–83.6%, 13.3–85.5%, respectively, addition highest (2.12 × 108 CFU mL?1) total population. Twelve bacteria from WRW, gene identification showed presence Bacillus velezensis, Enterobacter spp., Pantoea agglomerans, Klebsiella pneumoniae Stenotrophomonas maltophilia different periods. All identified microbes (except sp. Strain WRW-7) positive production. Similarly, could produce IAA, spp. strain WRW-10 recording up 73.7% higher than strains. Generally, increasing nutrients N, S, P, K, Mg, NH4+, NO3? increased, while pH, C, Cu decreased. Therefore, can potentially increase growth enhance soil health WRW’s microbial promotional effect, particularly fermentation.