Compost fortification with lignocellulolytic fungi for wheat cultivation using fewer mineral fertilizers amount in sandy soil

Current study has focused on the hypothesis that augmentation of organic fertilizers with lignocellulolytic fungi could overcome the slow-release issue of nutrients and act as plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) for plants against synthetic fertilizers. Two factorial experiments were implemented to study the influence of compost, processed by the addition of lignocellulolytic fungi, against rates of NPK fertilizers on the growth and productivity of cultivated wheat in sandy soil. An inoculum consisted of two cellulolytic fungi, viz Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viride and a ligninolytic fungus, viz Phanerochaete chrysosporium, was used for processing the compost before sowing. Three rates of NPK fertilizers, viz 100%, 75%, or 25% of the recommended dose were combined with processed compost or unprocessed. The results revealed an intensification of overall microbial count and associated activities in the rhizosphere of plants due to processed compost and a medium dose of NPK fertilizers. The dry weight of shoot generally increased in order 100% NPK> 75% NPK > 50% NPK , with a non-significant difference between 100% and 75% treatments when combined with processed compost. Despite the superiority of the full dose of NPK treatment, the divergence between them and 75% NPK fertilizers appeared non-significant when combined with processed compost for straw and grain yield, the weight of 1000 grains, or crude protein. Under the current situation, empowerment to diminish the applied amount of synthetic NPK fertilizers by 25% from the total dose by the incidence of saprobic fungi for more decomposition of organic matter doing a positive priming effect in wheat rhizobiome acting to improve the above- and below-ground parts of plants as a source capacity for high grain yield in eco-friendly and sustainable sound. The processed compost addition recorded 67.04 and 55.08; 27.57 and 25.24; 22.98 and 17.97 or 62.55 and 47.47% increases over unprocessed one for soil respiration, dehydrogenase enzymes, nitrogenase, or alkaline phosphatase during the first and second seasons, respectively. Mineral fertilization, in their main effect, also revealed significant differences based on the added rate with a superiority of 75% NPK to surpass the full or half doses for all estimated activities. Although significant differences are due to process compost with lignocellulolytic fungi, or NPK rates, the compost differences depend on NPK rate, except for nitrogenase activity during two seasons. The maximum activities were achieved in rhizospheres that received 75% NPK combined with processed compost, as indicated by soil respiration and alkaline phosphatase. While overall microbial activity was maximized by 50% NPK combined with processed compost, as indicated by dehydrogenase values. The heavy dose of NPK fertilizers hindered the biological activity in wheat rhizospheres.