The application of dry yeast (Saccharomycess cerevisiae) as a bio-fertilizer in

agriculture has received great attention owing to its bioactivity and safety for
human health and ecosystem. Two experiments were carried out in 2014-2015 at
Amherst greenhouse, University of Massachusetts, USA (UMASS). The study
investigated the effect of using yeast extract at different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0,
1.5 and 2.0 gL-1 ), as foliar spraying or added to the soil, on the growth and forage
quality characters of brown mid-rib sorghum-Sudan grass. Results indicated that dry
yeast applied at a rate of 2.0 gL-1 significantly increased plant height, fresh and dry
weights, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), digestible neutral
detergent fiber (dNDF48), ash, Mg, and K in the Brown Mid-Rib (BMR- sorghum-
Sudan). However, there are no significant differences were found between yeast
application method (as foliar and soil applications). Generally, the application of dry
yeast two times (first time 15 days after sowing and the second time after the first
cut) improved the growth and productivity of brown mid-rib sorghum-Sudan grass
as compared with the once application.
Abstract
Rice husk, an agricultural waste from the rice industry, can cause serious
environmental pollution if not properly managed. However, rice husk ash (RHA) has
been found to have many positive properties, making it a potential replacement for
non-renewable peat in soilless planting. Thus, this study investigated the impact of
a RHA composite substrate on the growth, photosynthetic parameters, and fruit
quality of cucumber (Yuyi longxiang variety) and melon (Yutian yangjiaomi variety).
The RHA, peat, vermiculite, and perlite were blended in varying proportions, with
the conventional seedling substrate (peat:vermiculite:perlite = 1:1:1 volume ratio)
serving as the control (CK). All plants were cultivated in barrels filled with 10L of the
mixed substrates. The results from this study found that RHA 40
(RHA:peat:vermiculite:perlite = 4:4:1:1 volume ratio) significantly enhanced
substrate ventilation and positively influenced the stem diameter, root activity,
seedling index, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal
conductance (Gs), and transpiration rate (Tr) of cucumber and melon plants.
Additionally, plant planted using RHA 40, the individual fruit weight of cucumber
and melon found to increase by 34.62% and 21.67%, respectively, as compared to
the control. Aside from that, both cucumber and melon fruits had significantly
higher sucrose, total soluble sugar, vitamin C, and soluble protein levels. This
subsequently improved the activity of sucrose synthase and sucrose phosphate
synthase in both cucumber and melon. In conclusion, the RHA 40 found to best
promote cucumber and melon plant growth, increase plant leaf photosynthesis, and
improve cucumber and melon fruit quality, making it a suitable substrate formula
for cucumber and melon cultivation in place of peat.

Abstract
Several alternative amendments like organic manure and biochar have been
proposed for revitalizing the degrading soil viability and fertility for sustainable
agriculture, globally. However, detailed field-scale studies focussing on the soil and
agronomic parameters of crops under these amendments are limited in dry tropical
ecosystems. Therefore, we studied the impact of various soil amendments viz., rice-
husk ash (RHA) and farm-yard manure (FYM) along with mineral fertilizer on soil
biophysical and agronomic parameters of wheat crop. We specifically explored the
impact of the amendments on soil CO2 efflux (SCE, under different growth stages)
and the harvest index of wheat crop, which are considered as the key indicators of
soil viability and agronomic efficiency, respectively. SCE, soil moisture, soil
temperature, soil N, microbial biomass and soil pH were found significantly varying
under different treatments (P < 0.05). SCE was found maximum under sole FYM
applied and minimum under mineral fertilizer applied treatments, whereas RHA
application lowered the SCE as compared to sole FYM application. Moreover, SCE
showed variation with plant growth stages, and found maximum during stem
elongation followed by heading stage whereas minimum during ripening stage. Soil
moisture was found to have considerable regulation for the overall variation in SCE
(r2 = 0.17; P = 0.04). In contrast to the soil properties, agronomic parameters
(except harvest index) were found higher under mineral fertilizer applied treatments
followed by sole FYM and combined FYM + RHA treatments, whereas sole RHA
applied treatment showed minimum values. However, significant variations were
observed only for harvest index, aboveground dry matter, grain and straw yields
(P < 0.05). Further, harvest index was found highest under sole and combined FYM
and RHA applied treatments whereas lowest in mineral fertilizer applied treatments.
Soil C/N ratio (r2 = 0.16; P = 0.04) and panicle length (r2 = 0.18; P = 0.03),
respectively as soil and agronomic parameters, have been found to have
considerable control over harvest index. The findings revealed that soil viability is
higher under sole FYM and combined FYM + RHA treatments whereas mineral
fertilization enhances agronomic performance. Based on the studied two indicators,
we conclude that both soil and agronomic sustainability can be maintained by using
a combination of organic (FYM and RHA) fertilization with reduced inputs from
mineral fertilizers. However, it further needs exploration for various soil and plant
eco-physiological parameters of different crops at field level for wider adaptation in
the dry tropical region.

Baker’s yeast is a commonly used culinary microorganism, namely single-cell fungi.

It is them who are responsible for the rising of dough for bread, pizza, steamed
dumplings or the popular yeast cake. They are used in hundreds - if not thousands -
of ways in the kitchen. This leads to obtaining delicious products that delight our
palates on a daily basis. You can find many recipes for yeast-based delicacies in our
Recipe Book, but that is not the end of applications of yeast.
You can also use baker’s yeast in the garden
It is an excellent alternative to chemical-based plant production products and
mineral fertilisers. In the day of increasing awareness regarding the quality of food
consumed, the natural and environmentally-friendly methods of supporting plants
that have been around for a long time are growing in popularity. This is not without
reason – they simply have no negative impact on our health, contrary to the
commonly applied artificial fertilisers and chemical-based plant protection products.
One of such environmentally-friendly supporting methods is the application of
baker’s yeast as a fertiliser and for spraying vegetables, fruit and other plants, also
the pot plants cultivated at home.
How does yeast fertiliser work?
The natural fertiliser made of baker’s yeast has a wide range of applications: it
stimulates the growth of plants, results in more lush blooming and reinforces the
root system, making it easier for the plants to absorb water and minerals from the
soil. It also limits the presence of adverse microbes that lead to root system
diseases and protects against fungal diseases.
How to prepare yeast spray?
As mentioned before, baker’s yeast can also be used to treat certain plant diseases.
This consists in fighting pathological fungi with beneficial ones.

In order to prepare the spray, it is enough to use 32 g of dried baker’s yeast or 100
g of fresh yeast, pouring it over with 0.5 L of fat, lukewarm milk. Mix everything, add
10 L of water and, optionally, about a dozen drops of liquid grey soap (as a
thickener) and mix everything again. Pour the solution into a sprayer and use it to
spray the plants thoroughly, especially the undersides of leaves.

yeast mixture for supporting plants can take two forms:

Non-fermented yeast fertiliser

In order to prepare the mix, it is enough to use 32 g of dried baker’s yeast or 100 g
of fresh yeast and 10 L of warm water. Mix everything thoroughly and leave it for
about 60 minutes. The solution does not require diluting and is suitable for use after
the time above indicated.

Fermented yeast fertiliser

It is a stronger form of the fertiliser than can be made from the same amount of
yeast - add a glass of lukewarm water and 1-2 glasses of sugar to 32 g of dried
yeast or 100 g of fresh yeast. After 2 hours, add 10 L of lukewarm water and leave
the mixture so created to ferment for a week. Afterwards, and after diluting it
properly (1 glass of solution per 10 L water) the fertiliser is ready to use.
t is best to use this fertiliser at the onset of spring and at the end of summer. If
required, it can be used all year round. However, it should not be used more often
than once in 2 weeks. For preparing the yeast fertiliser we can use the rainwater
collected. It is devoid of chlorine compounds, which increases the value of the
solution so prepared. It is also possible to use water from washing vegetables. This
fertiliser can also be made of yeast that exceeded its best before date. It is a good
news for those who have excess yeast supplies that they failed to use on time. This
allows us to act in line with the ZERO WASTE trend!
For which plants can we use the fertiliser and spray made of baker’s yeast?
Yeast fertiliser can be used for watering and spraying vegetables (tomatoes,
cucumbers), fruit bushes, trees and shrubs (strawberries), decorative plants (roses)
and pot plants cultivated at home.
Non-fermented yeast fertiliser will be excellent at nourishing the microflora of a
composter.
Spraying with baker’s yeast can be employed in the event of diseases such as spot
disease, mildew, grey rot or potato blight.
As you can see, there is a wide range of applications of baker’s yeast in the garden
as well. Therefore, never discard it as you can always use it. Either your belly or
your garden will be grateful for them.
This study was conducted to determine the potential of agricultural waste such as
carbonized rice hull (CRH) liquid extract as a source of silica and other nutrients for
cucumber production. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block
Design (RCBD) with three treatments and three replications. The treatments were 1)
full recommended rate inorganic fertilizer (RRIF), 2) full RRIF plus RHA liquid extract
and 3) half RRIF plus RHA liquid extract. Plots treated with liquid extract gave
significant results compared with the RRIF alone, however, treatment 2 and 3 were
comparable. This implies that application of half RRIF could meet the nutrient
requirement of cucumber when applied with supplemental liquid extracts from
carbonized rice hull.

Effluent from the baker's yeast industry was experimented on as a culture medium
for the growth and biomass production of diazotrophs. The effluent supported good
growth of Azotobacter chroococcum, Enterobacter agglomerans and Klebsiella
pneuomoniae, Azospirillum brasilense, Bacillus polymyxa and Pseudomonas putida
and strongly proposed for biofertilizers production of associative diazotrophs. Slurry
preparations containing natural polymers, e.g. Arabic gum (5%), pero-dextrin (20%),
starch granules (10%) or gelatine (20%) were impregnated with cells of tested
diazotrophs. With storage, entrapped cells of B. polymyxa were viable up to 160
days, while gradual decreases in Azospirillum numbers were recorded. Pero-dextrin,
a by-product of the starch industry, was selected as the appropriate biocarrier
accommodating diazotroph cells and maintaining prolonged survival rates and
nitrogenase activity. Cell cultures of A. brasilense, A. chroococcum, B. polymyxa, E.
agglomerans and P. putida were equally mixed and entrapped into pero-dextrin
slurry biofertilizer formulation named as “BIOGRAMINA”. Tested diazotrophs
successfully survived (ca. 10 cfu ml) in such formulation up to 6 months at both
ambient and cold temperatures. The response of wheat and barley to
“BIOGRAMINA” in the presence or absence of N fertilizers was evaluated in
greenhouse and field trials. Highest total biological yields were recorded for
inoculated plants simultaneously supplemented with rational N fertilizer dose.