Phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria for rice-crayfish co-cropping systems

Overview

This solution applies phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria to rice-crayfish co-cropping paddies to improve phosphorus availability and reduce fertilizer dependency. China's rice-crayfish planting area has reached 20 million mu, yet long-term flooding limits phosphorus utilization. Field trials demonstrated that bacterial inoculation increased rice yield to 7,245 kg/ha, a 5.25% improvement over conventional rice-crayfish systems, while raising phosphorus use efficiency to 24% compared with 18% in untreated fields. Soil available phosphorus content increased by 11.33%, supporting both productivity and sustainability goals for integrated rice-aquaculture farming.

Technical specifications

• Microbial inoculation: Phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria applied as a basal fertilizer amendment at 15 kg/ha in rice-crayfish paddy fields
• Yield performance: Rice yield of 7,245 kg/ha, representing a 5.25% increase over conventional rice-crayfish systems
• Nutrient efficiency: Phosphorus utilization efficiency improved to 24% versus 18% in untreated controls
• Soil impact: Available phosphorus content in soil increased by 11.33% compared with conventional paddy fields
• Experimental design: Field trials conducted across three replicate paddy fields comparing untreated and bacteria-treated conditions
• Future validation scope: Planned two-year studies testing 10%, 20%, and 30% phosphorus reduction rates combined with varying bacteria application ratios (base fertilizer to panicle fertilizer ratios of 1:1, 2:1, 4:1, 1:2, and 1:4), using 32P isotopic markers to trace fertilizer phosphorus fate

Technology readiness level

The technology has been validated through replicated field experiments demonstrating measurable improvements in yield, phosphorus efficiency, and soil nutrient status. Current evidence supports efficacy under rice-crayfish co-cropping conditions. A two-year follow-up study is planned to optimize application rates, ratios, and phosphorus reduction levels, and to trace phosphorus dynamics using isotopic labeling. The research team is actively seeking partners to support microbial strain screening, field management, and key personnel funding to advance toward broader deployment.