Microbial and Metabolite Profiling Reveal the Composition of Beejamrit: A Bioformulation for Seed Treatment in Sustainable Agriculture

Overuse of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers has increased concerns regarding environmental and human health. Indian natural farming practices, which are mainly based on different bioformulations, provide sustainable alternatives to conventional farming. Among other bioformulations, Beejamrit is a cow-based biostimulant that is used for seed treatment to promote seed germination, seed vigor, and tolerance to pathogens. In this study, 16S rRNA amplicon metagenomics and untargeted metabolomics (GC-MS and LC-MS) approaches were employed to evaluate microbial and metabolic profiles of Beejamrit samples, respectively. Metagenomic analysis indicated that Beejamrit consisted of different plant-growth-promoting bacteria, such as Advenella, Comamonas, Lysinibacillus, Acinetobacter, and Arcobacter. GC-MS analysis discovered organoheterocyclics (23%) to be the most prevalent metabolite group in Beejamrit, followed by organic acids (18%) and benzenoids (15%). In LC-MS analysis, lipids (26%) were most abundant, followed by organoheterocyclics (18%) and organic acids (18%). Furthermore, GC-MS and LC-MS analyses identified a wide range of metabolites, including amino acids, organic acids, phenolics, and fatty acids. These findings confirm that Beejamrit contains a wide array of beneficial bacteria and bioactive compounds, thereby elucidating the potential mechanisms behind its efficacy as an effective seed treatment agent. The study offers an initial framework for further standardization and wider application in sustainable agriculture.