Soil degradation is a major concern, causing a decline in crop productivity and making sustainable agricultural practices essential for humankind. Biochar and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are currently applied as affordable and environmentally safe alternatives. Biochar, a porous, carbon-rich by-product of biomass pyrolysis, was applied at 3 % (w/w) alone (control) and in combination with microbial inoculants, including a bacterial consortium. A 15-day pot experiment was conducted under controlled conditions to evaluate the effects of biochar and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) on plant growth. This study investigates the effects of biochar and PGPB (three Pseudomonas spp. and one Diaphorobacter spp.) on rice (Oryza sativa L.) and mustard (Brassica juncea L.) when applied individually and in combination. The results were evaluated based on plant growth-promoting criteria namely root and shoot length and chlorophyll content. It was observed that biochar had a positive impact on plant growth parameters when applied individually, however in combination with bacterial inoculants, the results were significantly improved. The consortium treatment showed higher values for root length, shoot length and chlorophyll content compared with individual treatments. This study highlights the major scope and potential of utilising plant growth promoting bacteria and biochar to achieve sustainable increases in plant growth and yield. However, some treatments showed variability in results, which could be attributed to the compatibility between biochar and microbial inoculants. This underscores the need for further optimisation studies on the interaction between biochar and bacterial inoculants.
Background: Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the world's most important cereal crops, and improving its productivity while reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers has become a major goal of sustainable agriculture. The potential role of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as a biofertilizer evolved as appropriate substitute to neutralize adverse environmental impacts wielded by manmade agrochemical.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis, individually and in combination, on the growth and yield of maize compared with conventional NPK fertilization.
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during the 2025 growing season at the Field Crops Research Station, College of Agriculture, University of Samarra, using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Six treatments were evaluated: Untreated control (T1), Pseudomonas fluorescens (T2), Bacillus subtilis (T3), combined inoculation (P. fluorescens + B. subtilis) (T4), combined inoculation with NPK fertilizer (T5), and NPK fertilizer (20:20:20) only (T6). Vegetative growth and yield-related traits were recorded and statistically analyzed.
Results: Inoculation of plants with PGPR bacteria resulted in a significant improvement in both vegetative growth and yield compared to the untreated control group. Pseudomonas fluorescens (T2) exhibited the highest vegetative growth rate, recording the highest plant height (148.00 cm), leaf area (365.00 cm²), leaf area index (2.63), and number of grains per spike (688 grains) compared control group recorded (92.33 cm), (10.67 plant⁻¹), (151.73 cm²), (0.70) respectively. Bacillus subtilis (T3), achieved the highest productivity, producing the largest number of spikes per plant (2.67 spikes) and the highest spike weight (283.50 g) compared control group recorded (2.00) and (161.60 g).
Conclusion: The use of PGPR, and especially Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis as potential biofertilisation agents is a promising sustainable alternative to chemical fertilisation that can enhance maize growth and production, while decreasing dependence on mineral fertilisers.
Waser saad Khalaf, Ahmed waleed Abdulrahman· International Journal of Bio...· 0 citations
ABSTRACT Maize intensive cultivation with excessive fertilizer use generates environmental impacts. Plant growth-promoting bacteria offer a sustainable alternative by favoring nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization, and phytohormone production. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of microorganisms previously recognized as growth promoters in rice on maize biomass and yield. The experiment was conducted under laboratory and greenhouse conditions, in a completely randomized design, with 13 treatments (12 microorganisms and one control). Lysinibacillus boronitolerans (BRM 71995) promoted the greatest increase in shoot dry mass (48.64 %, compared to the control), whereas Acinetobacter sp. (BRM 71990) stood out for root dry mass (217.12 %, compared to the control). For 100-grain weight, Herbaspirillum seropedicae (BRM 71996) increased values by 110.40 %, compared to Bacillus velezensis (BRM 71986). H. seropedicae (BRM 71997) was responsible for the greatest productive gains, increasing the number of grains (57.35 %, compared to the control) and yield per pot (85.14 %, compared to the control).
A. C. M. Façanha, Wendel Gabriel Magalhães Vieira, Nathalia Morais Ventura et al.· Pesquisa Agropecuária Tropic...· 0 citations
The excessive utilisation of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in modern agriculture generates major problems for the environment, human health and soil quality. In this context, European policymakers, researchers, and farmers are increasingly focusing on alternative solutions that contribute to more sustainable agriculture. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are regarded as biotechnological tools that align well with environmentally friendly alternatives. Numerous PGPR strains are being studied as an ecological alternative to environmentally harmful synthetic preparations (chemical fertilizers, pesticides) and tested for introduction into crop technologies under different formulations, in order to optimize plant growth and improve the production yield. These highly beneficial bacteria colonize on plant roots, stimulating their development through direct and indirect mechanisms. PGPR can improve nutrient availability (nitrogen fixation, phosphorus, potassium, zinc solubilization, etc.) and can influence optimal plant development by producing siderophores and regulating phytohormones. PGPR have the capacity to change the potential for water transport and absorption by roots. Additionally, they can contribute to plant protection by inhibiting pathogens or by stimulating host defence mechanisms, including the production of antibiotics, antioxidants, hydrolytic enzymes, exopolysaccharides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and osmotic balancing. The paper provides an overview of the current knowledge regarding PGPR and their importance to enhancing crop productivity and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Valentina-Elena Gorgan, P. Nechita· Journal of Agriculture and R...· 0 citations
Marginal soils are characterized by low nutrient availability, which adversely affects crop productivity. The incorporation of organic materials and cultivation techniques plays an important role in maintaining soil health and crop yield. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of photosynthetic bacterial fertilizers and the push-pull system cultivation technique. The research was conducted in Banjaran Village, Purbalingga Regency, utilizing a completely randomized block design. Treatments tested included S0 (control), S1 (50 mL/2L), and S2 (100 mL/2L), as well as P0 (control), P1 (lemongrass), and P2 (peanuts). Each treatment was replicated three times and analyzed using ANOVA, with Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) (α=5%) applied for significant differences. The observed variables included fresh plant weight, leaf area, fresh root weight, age of male flowers, and chlorophyll a levels. The results indicate that the application of photosynthetic bacteria significantly affects the fresh weight of the plants and the age of male flowers. However, there is no significant effect on leaf area, fresh root weight, and chlorophyll a levels. The push-pull system cultivation technique significantly affects chlorophyll a levels, although no significant differences were found in fresh plant weight, leaf area, fresh root weight, and age of male flowers.
Victor Bintang Panunggul, Niken Hapsari Arimurti Susanto, Ayu Sitanini et al.· Agro Wiralodra· 0 citations
Increased food production has become a global urgency due to population growth and limited productive land. Efficient use of resources, particularly water, and optimization of marginal land such as peat soil are important strategies in sustainable agricultural production. This study introduces a novel combination of water depth management and biochar application to improve rice growth and yield on peat soils, an approach that has been rarely explored. The study was conducted using a Randomized Block Design with a 4 × 4 factorial pattern consisting of two factors. The first factor was water depth with four levels: 0, 3, 6, and 9 cm. The second factor was biochar dose with four levels: 0, 4, 6, and 8 tons ha−1. The results showed that water level did not significantly affect rice plant growth and yield. However, biochar dose treatment significantly affected plant height growth and plant productivity. The control treatment (without biochar) produced a yield of 1.47 ton ha−1, which falls within the typical range of rice yields on peat soils (1.1-1.9 tons ha−1). Application of 6 tons ha−1 of biochar increased yield by 1.12 tons ha−1 compared to the control, representing an improvement of approximately 76%. These findings indicate that the combination of water depth management and biochar application effectively improves rice productivity on peat soils. This study contributes new insights to peatland rice management by recommending a water depth of 0 cm combined with 6 tons ha−1 of biochar as an effective and sustainable strategy to enhance rice yield.
M. Fajarna, Helmi, M. Sayuthi· IOP Conference Series: Earth...· 0 citations
The growing world population has increased the demand for food to meet global needs, which contributed to the growth and vibrancy of the agricultural sector. There is an urgent need for soil treatment to restore healthy soil conditions due to extensive and unregulated agricultural activities that have degraded soil fertility, resulting in reduced crop yields. Sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant is potentially used in biochar production. Thus, the combination of biochar with plant growth-promoting bacteria offers an ecologically friendly alternative for improving soil health and agricultural output. ICP-MS and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis were used to determine the quality of the developed biochar. An indigenous Pseudomonas sp. isolate, RA21, was mixed with biochar and used as a soil conditioner to promote chili plant growth. Plant height, leaf size, and stem diameter were measured to compare treated and untreated plants. ICP-MS analysis indicates that zinc and iron were the dominant metals present in all samples. BET analysis shows that approximately 70% of the biochar pore volume is composed of mesopores. The Fe and Zn nutrients in biochar serve as nutrient sources for plant uptake, while the high proportion of mesopores provides sites for bacterial colonization and enhances adsorption capacity. The application of a soil conditioner resulted in greater plant growth variables such as height, leaf size, and stem diameter when compared to the control group, and was equivalent to commercial fertiliser. Using soil conditioner resulted in more leaf area (651 cm²) in chilli plants compared to those treated with commercial fertiliser (629 cm²). Biochar, in particular, serves as a transporter for bacteria, allowing for optimal growth and activity while also providing nutrients that promote healthy plant development. The combination of sludge-derived biochar with the indigenous Pseudomonas sp. strain RA21 has shown encouraging results as a soil conditioner by increasing nutrient availability, allowing for the value-added use of municipal sludge within a circular economy framework.
Muhammad Azham Abdullah, Ahmad Razi Othman, N. N. Ramli et al.· Sains Malaysiana· 0 citations