Aug 2026· Frontiers in Agronomy· 0 citations· 52 references
TL;DR
Evaluating biological strategies for reducing fertilizer use in grain sorghum through the application of Trichoderma harzianum combined with varying rates of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers found higher dry grain mass was attributed to higher photosynthetic activity, greater plant height and stem diameter, and increased fresh stem and leaf mass.
Abstract
Chemical fertilization is essential for increasing yields in various crops, including
Sorghum bicolor
. Currently, there is increasing interest in sustainable alternatives, such as microbial-based biostimulants. Among the most widely used microorganisms,
Trichoderma
spp. are well-known plant growth-promoting fungi. The objective of this study was to evaluate biological strategies for reducing fertilizer use in grain sorghum through the application of
Trichoderma harzianum
combined with varying rates of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers. Two experiments were conducted at the State University of Goiás, in Ipameri, Goiás, Brazil. The experimental design was a 4 × 5 factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design with five replications. In the nitrogen experiment, stabilized urea (N45) and conventional urea were applied, with or without
T. harzianum
, at nitrogen rates of 50, 70, 90, 110, and 130 kg N ha
-1
. In the phosphorus experiment, stabilized phosphorus sources (P35) and single superphosphate were applied at rates of 10, 80, 150, 220, and 290 kg P
2
O
5
ha
-1
. The evaluated variables included plant height, relative chlorophyll content, days to flowering, stem diameter, fresh stem mass, fresh leaf mass, and dry grain mass. The treatment with stabilized urea (N45) combined with
T. harzianum
(T
2
) exhibited higher dry grain mass at the maximum nitrogen rate (130 kg N ha
-1
), which was associated with higher photosynthetic activity, greater consistency of stem diameter growth, and increased leaf mass compared to the conventional urea treatment (T
3
). In the phosphorus experiment, treatment T
2
(stabilized phosphorus – P35 combined with
T. harzianum
) exhibited the highest dry grain mass at 290 kg P
2
O
5
ha
-1
. In this case, the increase in grain yield was attributed to higher photosynthetic activity, greater plant height and stem diameter, and increased fresh stem and leaf mass, despite fewer days to flowering, compared with T
3
(single superphosphate).
Partial replacement of chemical fertilizers, particularly nitrogen fertilizers, with biological fertilizers is considered an effective strategy for reducing the negative environmental impacts associated with excessive fertilizer use. This study aimed to optimize N use through the application of bacterial-based biofertilizer, specifically plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), in different maize cultivars under semi-arid conditions. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) arranged in a split-plot arrangement was used, with the three hybrids (Shahkar, Bumbus and DK 7024) assigned to the main plots and different N treatments allocated to sub-plots. The field experiment was conducted during two consecutive spring seasons (Feb to June 2024 and 2025). The N treatments were defined as follows: control, 100% recommended N (200 kg/ha), 100% N with Pseudomonas stutzeri, 100% N with Bacillus subtilis, 100% N with Enterobacter sp., 50% N with Pseudomonas stutzeri, 50% N with Bacillus subtilis, 50% N with Enterobacter sp., 100% Pseudomonas stutzeri, 100% Bacillus subtilis, and 100% Enterobacter sp. The N treatments included synthetic fertilizer alone at the 100% recommended N rate and a combination of 100%, 50% and 0% of recommended levels with three N-fixing bacterial strains. Among the hybrids, DK 7024 exhibited the highest 1000-grain weight (349 g and 362.5 g), grain yield (6756 and 6971 kg ha−1) and total dry matter (17,500 and 18,368 kg ha−1) in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Among N levels, maximum 1000-grain weight, grain yield and total dry matter were noticed in 100% N with Enterobacter sp.: 402 g, 8446 kg ha−1 and 21,656 kg ha−1 in 2024 and 421 g, 8684 kg ha−1 and 22,237 kg ha−1 in 2025. Nitrogen application increased grain yield and total dry matter production; however, the treatment combined with 100% recommended synthetic N fertilizer with biofertilizer (Enterobacter sp.) showed superior performance compared with 100% N applied through only the synthetic fertilizer. The interaction between maize hybrids and N levels was statistically non-significant, suggesting that 100% N plus biofertilizers could be an effective strategy for achieving higher yields across different maize cultivars. Additionally, the beneficial effects of PGPR may contribute to sustainable agricultural practices. Further research is recommended to evaluate strategies involving reduced-N inputs combined with biological fertilizer, including the application of 100% N with biofertilizer. The present study suggests that N application in combination with biofertilizers has the potential to improve crop growth while promoting sustainable crop production.
Sajjad Hussain, S. Qaisrani, Muhammad Mubeen et al.· Nitrogen· 0 citations
Abstract Soybean has significant importance in the global agricultural sector. However, yield is often compromised by the low availability of phosphorus in the soil. The inoculation of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria has shown promise in increasing the absorption of this nutrient. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of Bacillus licheniformis as a phosphorus solubilizer, as well as to investigate its impact on soybean crop development. The experimental design was a randomized block design arranged in a 4x2 factorial scheme, with four replications. Treatments consisted of four phosphate fertilization rates (0, 40, 60, and 80 kg ha−1 P2O5, applied as single superphosphate and equivalent to 0, 50%, 75%, and 100% the recommended rate) associated or not with inoculation with Bacillus licheniformis. Morphological variables (plant height, root length, stem diameter, and branch number) and yield components (pods per plant, seeds per plant, seeds per pod, thousand grain weight, and grain yield) were determined. There were no significant effects of biological inoculation or phosphorus rate on morphological characteristics or some yield components, attributed to the high content of available phosphorus in the experimental soil (39.3 mg dm−3). On the other hand, inoculation with B. licheniformis significantly increased thousand grain weight and grain yield, even under high phosphorus availability. Regression analysis indicated that both variables had a positive linear response to phosphorus rate. These results reinforce the agronomic potential of B. licheniformis as a complementary technology to phosphate fertilization, contributing to the sustainability of soybean production.
G. Fumagalli, T. R. B. Silva, A. Nolla et al.· Brazilian Journal of Biology· 0 citations
Maize is one of the most important agricultural crops globally and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where cereals are cultivated on 204,368 ha, of which 57% (116,490 ha) is dedicated to maize production. The application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), such as the genera Pseudomonas and Bacillus, represents a sustainable alternative to mineral fertilizers, particularly in phosphorus-deficient soils commonly found in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A field experiment with ten fertilization treatments, arranged in a randomized block design with three replications, was conducted to evaluate the effects of seed inoculation, organic fertilization, and mineral fertilization on silage maize production. Grain yield, ear characteristics, and nutrient concentrations in maize leaves and grain were determined using standard analytical methods. The highest grain yield (15.2 t ha⁻¹) was achieved with the combined application of organic fertilization (30 t ha⁻¹) and bacterial inoculation, with a statistically significant difference compared to the control treatment. The applied fertilization treatments improved nutrient uptake and increased the content of protein, nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium in the grain, while zinc concentration generally decreased, indicating an antagonistic relationship between phosphorus and zinc. The obtained results confirm the potential of combining rhizobacterial inoculation and organic fertilization to enhance maize productivity and improve plant nutrient status.
E. Sijahović, H. Čivić, D. Gadžo et al.· Works of the Faculty of Agri...· 0 citations
Abstract Brazil is the world's third-largest corn producer, which is considered a demanding crop in terms of soil fertility. Phosphorus is known to be an essential element for crop development, and in most arable areas, this element is found in a form that is poorly available to the plant. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, B. megaterium, and B. aryabhattai) on the availability of this nutrient, combined with phosphate fertilizer doses, on early corn development. A completely randomized experimental design was used in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement, consisting of six treatments and five replicates. The treatments consisted of treatment with or without the bacteria and three phosphorus doses (0, 50, and 100% of the P dose). The evaluations performed included stem diameter, root length, shoot and root dry matter, chlorophyll index, and shoot phosphorus content. Data were analyzed by ANOVA (F-test). Means for inoculation treatments were compared using Tukey’s test, while phosphorus rates were evaluated by linear regression. Inoculation with Bacillus spp. significantly increased final plant height, root length, and dry matter accumulation, while chlorophyll index, stem diameter, and shoot phosphorus content did not differ significantly from the inoculant. Increasing phosphorus doses significantly increased plant height, root length, dry matter, and shoot phosphorus content, but did not significantly influence chlorophyll index or stem diameter. The interaction between inoculant use and phosphorus doses was not significant for any of the variables evaluated. These results indicate that inoculation with Bacillus spp. can promote vegetative development at later stages, while phosphorus is crucial from the early stages of the crop.
A. G. Caris, T. R. B. Silva, C. Z. Alves et al.· Brazilian Journal of Biology· 0 citations
Nitrogen is the most limiting nutrient for plant growth. Therefore, nitrogen fertilization of pastures must be prioritized to sustain high pasture yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate physiological and agronomic responses of Tamani grass managed under different nitrogen fertilization strategies. A randomized block design with four replications was used. Treatments consisted of the application of fertilizer‐controlled release (FCR) fractioned in one, two, four, or six applications per year (FCR 1×, FCR 2×, FCR 4×, or FCR 6×), conventional urea (CU), and without N fertilization (0N). The application of CU fertilizer was divided according to the number of cycles per year, considering a 21‐day cycle (rest period). The nitrogen dose corresponds to 600 kg N ha
−1
year
−1
. The variables photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance showed higher rates in the FCR 6× and 4× strategies, while the variables transpiration rate, internal concentration of CO
2
, and leaf temperature were not influenced by the fertilization strategies. The highest tiller population density was observed in the CU, FCR 4×, and FCR 6×. Pastures managed with FCR 4× showed increments of 28% and 197% in total accumulated forage biomass and 27% and 209% in accumulated green forage biomass, compared to CU and 0N, respectively. The highest accumulated total forage, green forage, and green leaf blade biomass was observed in pastures managed with FCR 4× (26,733, 25,566, and 25,561 kg ha
−1
year
−1
, respectively). Applying FCR in four or six fractioned per year positively influenced the structural, physiological, and agronomic characteristics of Tamani grass.
F. G. S. Alves, Milena A. dos Santos, E. C. G. Vasconcelos et al.· New Zealand Journal of Agric...· 0 citations
Wheat productivity is constrained by declining soil fertility and low nutrient-use efficiency resulting from the continuous dependence on chemical fertilizers. Integrated Nutrient Management, through the judicious integration of organic, inorganic, and biological nutrient sources, offers a sustainable approach to enhance crop growth, yield, soil health, and long-term productivity; however, its effectiveness in combination with nano-fertilizers requires further evaluation. Therefore, a field experiment was planned during the Rabi season of 2024-25 and 2025-26, at the research farm of Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana. The experiment was laid out in a two-factorial randomized block design with three replications. Factor A comprised two wheat varieties (WH 1270 and DBW 222), while Factor B consisted of eight nutrient management treatments involving RDF, vermicompost (2 t/ha), foliar nano urea (1250 mL/ha), foliar nano DAP (1250 mL/ha), and Azotobacter applied alone or in combination. The pooled data revealed that the variety DBW 222 showed significantly higher plant height (94.34 cm), number of tillers/meter row length (65.77), DMA/meter row length (224.82 g), LAI (5.56), spike length (9.84 cm), grains/spikes (48.31), effective tillers/m2 (300.80), test weight (40.27 g), grain yield (5042 kg/ha) and straw yield (6651 kg/ha) over variety WH 1270. Among various nutrient combinations, maximum plant height (104.65 cm), number of tillers/meter row length (70.51), DMA/meter row length (251.73 g), LAI (6.18), spike length (10.88 cm), grains/spikes (51.37), effective tillers/m2 (322.57), test weight (42.21 g), grain yield (5642 kg/ha) and straw yield (7439 kg/ha) was recorded with treatment T3 (100% RDF with vermicompost @ 2t/ha) which was found at par with T5 and T4. These treatments were found superior over T2, T6, T8 and T7. The least were found in T1
Sanjeev Kumar, I.S. Singh· Research on Crops· 0 citations
