Abstract
Microorganisms are often applied as biofertilizer to crops to stimulate plant growth, increase yields and reduce inorganic N application. The survival and proliferation of these allochthonous microorganisms in soil is a necessary requisite for them to promote plant growth. We applied a sterilized or unsterilized not commercialized bacterial consortium mixed with cow manure leachate used by a farmer as biofertilizer to maize (Zea mays L.) in a greenhouse experiment, while maize development and the bacterial community structure was determined just before the biofertilizer was applied a first time (day 44), after three applications (day 89) and after six application at the end of the experiment (day 130). Application of sterilized or unsterilized biofertilizer with pH 4.3 and 864 mg NH4+-N kg−1 had no significant effect on maize growth. The application of the biofertilizer dominated by Lactobacillus (relative abundance 11.90%) or the sterilized biofertilizer changed the relative abundance of a limited number of bacterial groups, i.e. Delftia, Halomonas, Lactobacillus and Stenotrophomonas, without altering significantly the bacterial community structure. Cultivation of maize, however, affected significantly the bacterial community structure, which showed large significant variations over time in the cultivated and uncultivated soil. It was concluded that the bacteria applied as a biofertilizer had only a limited effect on the relative abundance of these groups in uncultivated or soil cultivated with maize.
Highlights
Plant development is controlled by many factors, such as soil water and nutrient content
The application of inorganic fertilizer has increased crop yields, environmental concerns have led to the search of methods that might help to reduce its use, while maintaining or even improving crop yields
Precision agriculture or applying fertilizer only when the crop requires it has helped to reduce inorganic fertilizer application rates. While these management strategies are helpful in reducing the need of inorganic fertilizer, additional solutions are still needed for growers who do not have the means to perform vertical, organic or precision farming[3,4]
Summary
Plant development is controlled by many factors, such as soil water and nutrient content. Inorganic fertilizer application together with improved plant genotypes has increased crop yields. Requires ever higher application of inorganic fertilizer, mostly nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which can negatively affect the environment. The application of inorganic fertilizer has increased crop yields, environmental concerns have led to the search of methods that might help to reduce its use, while maintaining or even improving crop yields. Precision agriculture or applying fertilizer only when the crop requires it has helped to reduce inorganic fertilizer application rates. Lactobacilli can stimulate plant growth as they produce auxins, volatile fatty acids and plantericin. They have been applied to soil against phytopathogenic bacteria and as biocontrol agents for their antifungal activity[8,9]
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