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Abstract
BackgroundField inoculation of crops with beneficial microbes is a promising sustainable strategy to enhance plant fitness and nutrient acquisition. However, effectiveness can vary due to environmental factors, microbial competition, and methodological challenges, while their precise modes of action remain uncertain. This underscores the need for further research to optimize inoculation strategies for consistent agricultural benefits.ResultsUsing a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, we investigate the effects of a consortium of beneficial microbes (BMc) (Pseudomonas sp. RU47, Bacillus atrophaeus ABi03, Trichoderma harzianum OMG16) on maize (Zea mays cv. Benedictio) through an inoculation experiment conducted within a long-term field trial across intensive and extensive farming practices. Additionally, an unexpected early drought stress emerged as a climatic variable, offering further insight into the effectiveness of the microbial consortium. Our findings demonstrate that BMc root inoculation primarily enhanced plant growth and fitness, particularly by increasing iron uptake, which is crucial for drought adaptation. Inoculated maize plants show improved shoot growth and fitness compared to non-inoculated plants, regardless of farming practices. Specifically, BMc modulate plant hormonal balance, enhance the detoxification of reactive oxygen species, and increase root exudation of iron-chelating metabolites. Amplicon sequencing reveals shifts in rhizosphere bacterial and fungal communities mediated by the consortium. Metagenomic shotgun sequencing indicates enrichment of genes related to antimicrobial lipopeptides and siderophores.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the multifaceted benefits of BMc inoculation on plant fitness, significantly influencing metabolism, stress responses, and the rhizosphere microbiome. These improvements are crucial for advancing sustainable agricultural practices by enhancing plant resilience and productivity.
Highlights
Field inoculation of crops with beneficial microbes is a promising sus‐ tainable strategy to enhance plant fitness and nutrient acquisition
Description of the experimental design An inoculation experiment was conducted within a long-term field trial (LTE) to investigate the effects of a consortium of beneficial microorganisms
While the precise mechanisms underlying the observed alterations in plant hormone and metabolic stress profiles remain elusive, potentially involving enhanced micronutrient uptake or direct cross-signaling with the applied beneficial microorganisms (BMs) consortia (BMc), our results demonstrate that BMc inoculation promoted plant health and mitigated the negative impacts of drought conditions
Summary
Field inoculation of crops with beneficial microbes is a promising sus‐ tainable strategy to enhance plant fitness and nutrient acquisition. Effective‐ ness can vary due to environmental factors, microbial competition, and methodologi‐ cal challenges, while their precise modes of action remain uncertain This underscores the need for further research to optimize inoculation strategies for consistent agricul‐ tural benefits. The integration of reduced tillage and fertilization intensity, while considering the beneficial interaction between plants and rhizosphere microorganisms, has potential to stabilize crop yield, plant fitness and resilience, as well as soil health and fertility [4–7]. Such practices entail risks for nutrient limitation or increased pathogen/pest pressure that may, due to still limited sustainable options, require conventional agricultural measures [8–10]. For optimal rhizosphere competence, inoculated BMs must compete with the indigenous soil microbial community and adapt to diverse and occasionally harsh environmental conditions
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