Impact of nitrogen fertilizer sustainability on corn crop yield: the role of beneficial microbial inoculation interactions

• Published in: BMC plant biology Vol. 24; no. 1; p. 268
• Main Authors: Galindo, Fernando Shintate, Pagliari, Paulo Humberto, da Silva, Edson Cabral, de Lima, Bruno Horschut, Fernandes, Guilherme Carlos, Thiengo, Cassio Carlette, Bernardes, João Victor Silva, Jalal, Arshad, Oliveira, Carlos Eduardo Silva, de Sousa Vilela, Lucila, Furlani Junior, Enes, Nogueira, Thiago Assis Rodrigues, do Nascimento, Vagner, Teixeira Filho, Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto, Lavres, José
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 11.04.2024; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Agricultural land; Agricultural management; Agricultural production; Agriculture; Azospirillum brasilense; Bacillus subtilis; Bacteria; Biological fertilization; Biotic stress; Carbon Dioxide; Carbon dioxide emissions; Cereal crops; Chlorophyll; Chlorophylls; Consortia; Corn; Corn yield; Crop yield; Crop yields; Environmental aspects; Farmers; Farming systems; Fertilization; Fertilizers; Food security; Food supply; Growth; Hypotheses; Inoculation; Management; Microorganisms; N synergists; N use efficiency and recovery; Nitrates; Nitrogen; Nitrogen - analysis; Nitrogen fertilizers; Optimization; Oxidative stress; Parameters; Photosynthesis; Physiological aspects; Physiology; Plant growth; Plants; Plants (botany); Production management; Scientific equipment and supplies industry; Seeds; Soil; Soil bacteria; Soil microbiology; Soil microorganisms; Sustainability; Sustainable development; Transpiration; Vegetables; Water use; Water use efficiency; Zea mays; Brazil; Canada; United States; Azospirillum brasilense; Biotic stress; N synergists; N use efficiency and recovery; Bacillus subtilis
• ISSN: 1471-2229; 1471-2229
• DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-04971-3

Considering the challenges posed by nitrogen (N) pollution and its impact on food security and sustainability, it is crucial to develop management techniques that optimize N fertilization in croplands. Our research intended to explore the potential benefits of co-inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus subtilis combined with N application rates on corn plants. The study focused on evaluating corn photosynthesis-related parameters, oxidative stress assay, and physiological nutrient use parameters. Focus was placed on the eventual improved capacity of plants to recover N from applied fertilizers (AFR) and enhance N use efficiency (NUE) during photosynthesis. The two-year field trial involved four seed inoculation treatments (control, A. brasilense, B. subtilis, and A. brasilense + B. subtilis) and five N application rates (0 to 240 kg N ha applied as side-dress). Our results suggested that the combined effects of microbial consortia and adequate N-application rates played a crucial role in N-recovery; enhanced NUE; increased N accumulation, leaf chlorophyll index (LCI), and shoot and root growth; consequently improving corn grain yield. The integration of inoculation and adequate N rates upregulated CO uptake and assimilation, transpiration, and water use efficiency, while downregulated oxidative stress. The results indicated that the optimum N application rate could be reduced from 240 to 175 kg N ha while increasing corn yield by 5.2%. Furthermore, our findings suggest that replacing 240 by 175 kg N ha of N fertilizer (-65 kg N ha ) with microbial consortia would reduce CO emission by 682.5 kg CO   ha . Excessive N application, mainly with the presence of beneficial bacteria, can disrupt N-balance in the plant, alter soil and bacteria levels, and ultimately affect plant growth and yield. Hence, highlighting the importance of adequate N management to maximize the benefits of inoculation in agriculture and to counteract N loss from agricultural systems intensification.