Bioconversion of Feather Composts using Proteolytic Bacillus mycoides for their Possible Application as Biofertilizer in Agriculture

Proteolytic Bacillus strains were screened for highest protease production amongst which Bacillus mycoides (G2) was chosen as an assuring protease producer. Enzyme activity was maximum at 37 °C, pH-7, when the medium was supplemented with 0.5 and 0.75% of sucrose and beef extract respectively. Tapioca flour and soybean meal were capable of replacing commercial carbon and nitrogen sources respectively. Feather degradation studies revealed 62% of degradation with Quail feather (QF), followed by Chicken feather (CF) (58%), Guinea fowl feather (51%) and Pigeon feather (43%). Biodegradation of feather samples in soil evidenced degradation of Quail feather and Chicken feather at the following pattern—QF Treatment 1 (5%) ˃ CF Treatment 1 (5%) ˃ QF Treatment 2 (10%) ˃ CF Treatment 2 (10%). Maximum degradation of QF and sufficient release of free amino acids into the feather compost was obvious with Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopic (FE-SEM) and High Performance Thin Layer Chromatographic (HPTLC) analyses respectively. In vitro plant growth studies of tomato and chilly plants were accomplished with feather composts. Maximum growth of 26.44 cm (shoot length) was achieved when feather compost prepared with degraded QF (5%) was utilized as plant growth substrate, than other treatment pots (P