Abstract
ABSTRACT Although the isolated effects of the cyanobacteria Anabaena cylindrica and the bacteria Azospirillum brasilense are well-known, the co-inoculation of both can promote other benefits to corn plants’ biological nitrogen fixation and growth. The aim was to evaluate the initial growth and chloroplast pigment levels of corn hybrids co-inoculated with A. brasilense and A. cylindrica. The experiment was conducted in greenhouse conditions using the completely randomized design in a factorial scheme 2 × 4 with two hybrids, Balu 184 and Balu 280 Pro, and four inoculation treatments: no inoculation, inoculation of A. cylindrica, inoculation of A. brasilense, and the co-inoculation of A. cylindrica + A. brasilense. Co-inoculation resulted in higher root growth and dry mass of the aerial part in both hybrids; however, the hybrid Balu 280 Pro presented higher responsivity. The co-inoculation of A. brasilense and A. cylindrica increased initial corn growth without altering the photosynthetic pigment levels.
Highlights
The co-inoculation of plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) is an advanced agricultural technology of proven efficiency that promotes higher root growth (Yegorenkova et al, 2016)
The aim was to evaluate the initial growth and chloroplast pigment levels of corn hybrids coinoculated with A. brasilense and A. cylindrica
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the initial growth and chloroplast pigment levels of corn hybrids co-inoculated with A. brasilense and A. cylindrica
Summary
The co-inoculation of plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) is an advanced agricultural technology of proven efficiency that promotes higher root growth (Yegorenkova et al, 2016). The co-inoculation in corn crops of plant-growthpromoting bacteria may favor root and aerial parts growth due to efficient nutrient absorption. It reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, environmental and production costs and promotes more profitable and sustainable systems (Andrade et al, 2014a; Prasanna et al, 2015; Muro-Pastor et al, 2017). The free-living cyanobacteria A. cylindrica occurs in many different environments (Shariatmadari et al, 2013) and fixate nitrogen through their heterocysts (Muro-Pastor et al, 2017) They produce hormones and present nutrient-rich mucilage and soil conditioner bio-compounds (Prasanna et al, 2015). Studies with inoculated and co-inoculated cyanobacteria in agriculture are still scarce
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
