Microorganism‐based bioinput enhances wheat yield and drought resilience

Abstract

Agricultural bioinputs can enhance plant nutrition, productivity, and tolerance to water deficit, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional crop management. This study evaluated the technical feasibility of the microorganism‐based bioinput Bio‐X Agricultura Única for improving wheat ( Triticum aestivum  L.) productivity and resistance to water deficit. The first experiment validated five doses (0%, 25%, 50%, 100%, and 200%) of the bioinput in two wheat cultivars (Instituto Agronômico de Campinas [IAC] 385 and BRS 264). The second experiment assessed cultivar performance with and without Bio‐X Agricultura Única under irrigated and water‐stress conditions, the latter induced by irrigation suspension. Both experiments were conducted in a greenhouse at the Federal University of Viçosa, Florestal Campus, from June 5 to September 25, 2023 (112 days). Bio‐X Agricultura Única increased potassium (K) concentration by 25% and protein content by 23%, while also enhancing leaf area and stem number. The IAC 385 cultivar showed a higher absolute growth rate (0.26 g day − 1 ) at the 100% dose, whereas BRS 264 exhibited greater root dry mass allocation. Grain yield increased by 25% in both cultivars following bioinput application. Under water deficit, Bio‐X Agricultura Única increased relative leaf water content by 33% in both cultivars, possibly due to the higher K concentration, and enhanced spike production by 74%. Overall, Bio‐X Agricultura Única acted as a soil conditioner, improving nutritional and physiological status and increasing wheat productivity and yield stability under both irrigated and water‐stress conditions.