The Influence of Microbial Biostimulators on the Yield and Economic Profitability of Sustainable Production of Pepper (Capsicum Annuum L.)

EFFECTS OF AN ORGANIC BIOSTIMULANT ON THE AGRONOMIC AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF GROUNDNUT CULTIVATION IN REAL-WORLD CONDITIONS IN THE NAKAMBE REGION OF BURKINA FASO

In Burkina Faso, climatic hazards and soil degradation negatively affect groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) productivity. This study evaluates the effects of a biostimulant on the productivity and profitability of groundnuts grown in a real-world setting. It was conducted at the Tenkodogo University Center in the Nakambe region. The groundnut variety used was TE3, cultivated according to a completely randomized Fischer block design with four replications and four treatments: T0 (control without fertilizer); T1 (1 liter/ha of biostimulant), T2 (2 liters/ha of biostimulant), and T3 (3 liters/ha of biostimulant). Data were collected on physiological, agronomic, and economic parameters. An analysis of variance using the Newman-Keuls test and gross margin calculations were performed. The physiological parameters (start date and 50% flowering, start date and 50% maturity) of the different treatments showed highly significant differences (p<0.0001). For the agronomic parameters, the treatments had a highly significant effect (p<0.0001) on the number of pods (NG), pod dry weight (PSG), number of seeds (NGr), and foliage dry weight (DWF). The highest seed yield was obtained with the 1 liter/ha treatment, at 1145 kg/ha, and the highest gross margin (776,750 CFA francs/ha). Conversely, the 3 liters/ha treatment resulted in the highest haulm yield (2430 kg/ha). Therefore, the 1 liter/ha treatment could be recommended to producers aiming to improve groundnut grain yield, and the 3 liter/ha treatment for haulm production.

Effect of Biofertilization with Plant Growth-Promoting rhizobacillus (PGPR) on Growth and Productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) Compared to Chemical Fertilization

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.

Effect of Biofertilizers and Growth Promoting Microorganisms on Productivity and Profitability of Mungbean [(Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] under Mungbean-Wheat Cropping System

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2022 and 2023 at Dr. BRC Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Mandor, Rajasthan, to evaluate the effect of biofertilisers and growth-promoting microorganisms on growth, yield, and profitability of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, var. GM-4) under the mungbean–wheat cropping system. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design with ten treatments and three replications. Treatments consisted of different combinations of the recommended dose of fertilisers and seed inoculation, soil application, or combined seed and soil application of Rhizobium and phosphate-solubilising bacteria (PSB). The results indicated that growth parameters, yield attributes, grain yield, biological yield, and economic returns were significantly influenced by the treatments. The greatest numerical plant heights at 30 DAS (46.8 cm) and 45 DAS (55.9 cm) were recorded under T₁₀, while T₅ recorded comparable values of 45.8 and 55.3 cm, respectively. The highest numbers of pods per plant (39.6) and seeds per pod (13.5), dry matter production (3.50 t ha⁻¹), and test weight (48.1 g) were observed under T₅, whereas the highest numerical chlorophyll content (4.00 mg g⁻¹) was recorded under T₁₀. The highest grain yield (pooled: 1458 kg ha⁻¹) and net return (₹98,855 ha⁻¹) were recorded with 100% RDF (T₅), whereas 75% RDF combined with seed and soil application of Rhizobium + PSB (T₁₀) produced a pooled grain yield of 1400 kg ha⁻¹ and a B:C ratio of 4.41, remaining statistically at par with T₅. Thus, integrated use of biofertilisers with 75% RDF can reduce fertiliser requirement without significant yield loss and improve profitability.

development and in vitro characterization of a Trichoderma-based biopesticide for the management of Fusarium solani in tomato

Evaluation of the Azotofertil Biostimulant as a Nitrogen-Based Fertilization Strategy for Solanum lycopersicum L. and Capsicum annuum L.

The continuous growth of the global population and the need to ensure food security require the development of sustainable agricultural technologies capable of maintaining crop productivity while reducing environmental impact. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria belonging to the genera Azotobacter and Azospirillum have attracted increasing interest due to their ability to improve plant nutrition and stimulate physiological processes associated with growth and productivity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the commercial biostimulant Azotofertil, based on Azotobacter chroococcum and Azospirillum lipoferum, on the agrophysiological response of tomato and pepper plants, in comparison with conventional nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization. A field experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with three fertilization treatments and three biological replicates for each crop species. Soil pH, cultivable Azotobacter spp. populations, plant height, photosynthetic pigment content, vitamin C content, and total yield were evaluated. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Duncan’s multiple range test (p < 0.05) and Pearson correlation analysis. The application of Azotofertil significantly increased the abundance of cultivable Azotobacter spp., photosynthetic pigment content, and vitamin C content, while no statistically significant differences were observed for soil pH or plant height. The most pronounced effect was observed for photosynthetic pigment content, which increased by 26% in tomato and by 21% in pepper compared to the control.

CHEMICAL-TECHNOLOGICAL CHARACTERISATION OF VERMICOMPOST AND ITS EFFECT ON THE AGROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL AND YIELD OF GREENHOUSE CROPS

This study examines the influence of varying vermicompost application rates (0 %, 10 %, and 20 % of the substrate volume) on the growth, development, and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cultivated under greenhouse conditions in the Turkestan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The research is conducted within the framework of chemical and technological transformation of organic matter in soil substrates. The results indicate that the incorporation of vermicompost leads to notable changes in the physicochemical characteristics of the substrate, including an increase in organic matter content, stabilization of substrate pH, and improved availability of key macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These modifications contribute to more active mineralization processes and enhanced biochemical transformation of nutrients, which in turn stimulate root system development, promote vegetative growth, and increase crop yield. The highest overall productivity was recorded at a vermicompost application rate of 20 %, demonstrating its maximum agronomic effectiveness. At the same time, the 10 % application rate also showed a consistently positive effect, suggesting that it represents a balanced and economically viable option for greenhouse cultivation. Overall, the findings support the use of vermicompost as an efficient organic component in the chemical technology of soil substrate improvement for greenhouse vegetable production.