Aug 2026· Nitrogen· Vol 7, pp. 87· 0 citations· 54 references
Abstract
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.
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.
Cintia da Silva de Oliveira, Rikelme Matheus dos Santos Relvas, Rithielly Machado Rodrigues de Araújo et al.· Frontiers in Agronomy· 0 citations
Efforts to increase the availability of macronutrients in soil have relied on inorganic fertilization, particularly NPK fertilizers. However, global challenges in the fertilizer raw material supply chain, including price fluctuations and availability, are driving the need for more efficient and sustainable fertilizer alternatives. The field experiment was conducted in Baruajak, Lembang District, West Java, Indonesia, to evaluate the effectiveness of Bacillus-coated NPK fertilizer on broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) growth, nutrient status, rhizosphere Bacillus population, yield, and flower quality. The experiment used a randomized complete block design with 15 fertilizer treatments and three replications. Treatments consisted of two coated NPK formulations, Formula C (0.4% Bacillus consortium + 0.2% zeolite) and Formula G (0.2% Bacillus consortium + 0.4% zeolite), applied once or twice at 100%, 75%, and 50% of the recommended NPK dose, and conventional NPK fertilizer at the same dose levels. The recommended NPK dose for broccoli was 300 kg ha⁻¹. Plant growth, chlorophyll content, shoot biomass, nutrient concentration and uptake, soil nutrient status, rhizosphere Bacillus population, flower yield, flower diameter, and vitamin B3 and K contents were observed. The results showed that Bacillus-coated NPK fertilizer generally improved vegetative growth compared with conventional NPK fertilizer. Formula G applied once at 100% recommended NPK dosage produced the highest flower weight and diameter, while Formula C applied once at 75% resulted in the highest vitamin B3 and vitamin K contents. The coated NPK fertilizer maintained shoot N, P, and K concentrations comparable to those of conventional NPK and showed potential to partially or fully replace conventional NPK in broccoli cultivation.
Betty Natalie Fitriatin, R. Risanti, Reginawati Hindersah et al.· Kultivasi· 0 citations
Sustainable agriculture, particularly efficient nitrogen management, is essential for maintaining soil fertility, improving crop quality, and reducing the environmental footprint of agricultural production. This study evaluated the effects of reduced soil-applied nitrogen and foliar application of the nitrogen–sulfur fertilizer Nitron-S on the quality of silage maize (Zea mays L.). A field experiment was conducted using a single-factor design with four fertilization treatments differing in nitrogen supply and foliar fertilization intensity. The silage maize cultivar Farmmortiz was grown under uniform manure application (30 t ha−1) applied in autumn. The control treatment received the full soil-applied nitrogen rate, whereas experimental treatments received 50% of the conventional nitrogen dose supplemented with foliar Nitron-S at doses of 20, 40, and 60 dm3 ha-1, applied twice during the growing season. After harvest, plant yield and selected quality parameters were determined, including dry matter, crude protein, sugars, starch, ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), ammonia fraction, and organic matter digestibility (VOS). Fertilization treatments significantly affected most quality traits. The highest Nitron-S rate increased starch concentration (up to approximately 30% under N4) but also elevated ADL content (by about 25%) and slightly reduced VOS (only by about 1–3%. Partial replacement of soil-applied nitrogen with foliar nitrogen–sulfur fertilization improved the nutritional quality of maize silage and reduced nitrogen input. This approach may contribute to more sustainable maize production.
Wojciech Kozera, J. Lemanowicz, W. Dudzińska et al.· Sustainability· 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
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
The use of inorganic fertilizers in rice farming has led to increased production costs, reduced nutritional value, and it results in major ecological damage. Harnessing plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) offers a promising eco‐friendly alternative to conventional fertilization strategies. This study evaluates the potential of Pseudomonas mosselii PR5 as a bioinoculant to enhance rice growth under reduced fertilizer inputs in a pot experiment. Two application methods, seed priming (B1) and seed priming combined with bacterial culture filtrate (BCF) foliar spray (B2), were evaluated across four fertilizer regimes: 0% (F0), 50% (F1), 75% (F2), and 100% (F3) of the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF). Application of PR5 significantly enhanced rice growth, yield, and yield‐related traits across all fertilizer levels and application methods. At 100% RDF, the combination of seed priming with foliar application of PR5 resulted in marked increases in plant height (4.3%), biomass (64.4%), chlorophyll content (47.4%), grain yield (48%), and benefit–cost ratio (67.6%) compared to the 100% RDF alone. Notably, the combined PR5 application at 75% RDF showed similar agronomic performance and yield as in the 100% RDF treatment, indicating 25% less fertilizer requirement for maintaining crop profitability. Multivariate analysis also confirmed a strong association of grain and soil nutrients with the combined application of PR5 at 75% and 100% RDF. PR5 application also boosted both grain nutrient content and post‐harvest soil nutrient levels. Thus, this research showed that PR5 application increased crop productivity while improving grain nutritional quality and lowering the need for chemical fertilizers towards sustainable agriculture.
Sourav Biswas Shuvo, R. Sultana, Shah Mohammad Naimul Islam et al.· Plant-Environment Interactio...· 0 citations
