Evaluation of Agronomic Efficiency and Practicality of Biomax® Azum Foliar Inoculation (Azospirillum brasilense – 3 × 10⁸ CFU mL− 1) as a Plant Growth Promoter in Maize (Zea mays)
Aug 2026· International Journal of Plant Production· Vol 20· 0 citations· 43 references
Abstract
Although plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) like Azospirillum brasilense enhance maize production, traditional seed or furrow inoculations face operational constraints, and the agronomic field efficiency of foliar alternatives remains inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic efficiency and practicality of foliar application of the commercial inoculant Biomax® Azum (Azospirillum brasilense – 3 × 10⁸ CFU mL-1) as a plant growth promoter in maize (Zea mays). Field experiments were conducted during two cropping seasons in three different Brazilian regions (Santa Maria–RS, Querência–MT, and Uberlândia–MG). Treatments included seed, in-furrow, and foliar inoculations (200 and 300 mL ha⁻¹), as well as a non-inoculated control. Variables evaluated included shoot dry matter, nitrogen content in shoots and grains, yield components, and final grain yield. Results showed that foliar inoculation, particularly at 200 mL ha⁻¹, significantly increased biomass and grain yield under specific conditions, being comparable or superior to other application methods. It was concluded that foliar inoculation with Biomax® Azum is an agronomically effective and feasible strategy for maize cultivation, especially under favorable edaphoclimatic conditions.
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.
A. Marta, Ștefănica Stoica, M. Covașă et al.· Plants· 0 citations
An experiment was conducted during 2025–2026 at the Central Orchard (Horticulture Research Farm), Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Faculty of Agriculture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS), Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India, to evaluate foliar applications of plant growth regulators, micronutrients, and seaweed extract in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. Kandhari. Eight-year-old, uniform trees of pomegranate cv. Kandhari were used for the study. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design (RBD) with eleven treatments and three replications. The treatments comprised foliar applications of plant growth regulators (GA₃ and NAA), micronutrients (ZnSO₄ and borax), and seaweed extract, applied individually and in different combinations. The first foliar spray was applied in September 2025. The results revealed that treatment T₁₀ (GA₃ at 100 ppm + NAA at 40 ppm + seaweed extract at 5 ml L⁻¹ + ZnSO₄ at 0.5% + borax at 0.2%) produced the maximum vegetative growth and was the most effective treatment. However, T₆ (NAA at 40 ppm + ZnSO₄ at 0.5% + borax at 0.2%) was found to be the most economically viable treatment. The study indicates that integrated foliar application of plant growth regulators, micronutrients, and seaweed extract can significantly improve vegetative growth, total number of flowers, number of fruits per plant, and fruit weight (g) in pomegranate under Prayagraj agro-climatic conditions.
Rajani Srivastava, Deepak Lall, Vijay Bahadur et al.· International Journal of Pla...· 0 citations
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.
A. Verma, M. Mehriya, Ashish Vishnawat· International Journal of Pla...· 0 citations
Hempseed press cake-derived protein hydrolysate (HPH) is a promising plant biostimulant, but its effects on strawberry fruit production under smart greenhouse conditions remain unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of foliar HPH application on growth, mineral accumulation, reproductive traits, yield, fruit quality, and antioxidant properties of strawberry cv. ‘Pharachatan 80’. Plants were grown in a smart greenhouse and treated with water (control), a commercial biostimulant, and HPH at 7.5 and 10.0% (w/v) (HPH7.5 and HPH10.0, respectively). Foliar application was initiated 25 days after transplanting and repeated weekly for five applications. HPH applications showed clear concentration-specific improvements in vegetative growth, mineral accumulation, reproductive performance, fruit yield, and antioxidant quality. As the most effective treatment for overall crop performance, HPH7.5 enhanced plant growth and mineral accumulation, particularly K and Mg. Consequently, it improved both yield components (fruit set, number, weight, size, and total yield) and fruit quality attributes, such as total soluble solids, total phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, and ABTS radical-scavenging activity. Conversely, HPH10.0 was more closely associated with N, P, Ca, Fe, Zn, and Mn accumulation, as well as fruit firmness and total anthocyanin content, and DPPH radical-scavenging activity. Principal component analysis confirmed distinct response patterns between HPH concentrations. Thus, HPH7.5 serves as an effective foliar biostimulant to improve strawberry productivity and quality in smart greenhouses.
ABSTRACT Sustainable corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) production in tropical soils is challenged by high phosphate fertilizer dependence and low phosphorus (P) use efficiency. This study assessed the agronomic efficiency of BTP 010-19 (B. subtilis + B. amyloliquefaciens + B. pumilus) in compensating for a 25% reduction in recommended phosphate fertilization under diverse field conditions. Multi-location field trials were conducted across four Brazilian edaphoclimatic regions using a randomized complete block design. Treatments included inoculation factors (non-inoculated control, BTP 010-19 via seed treatment and in-furrow, and a positive control with Pseudomonas fluorescens and Azospirillum brasilense) and P doses (75% and 100% of recommended). The results demonstrated that BTP 010-19 application, particularly in-furrow, significantly enhanced grain yield in both crops. In corn, BTP 010-19-FURROW achieved the highest mean yield (8,264.25 kg ha-¹), representing a 7.1% increase over the non-inoculated control. Crucially, at 75% of the recommended P rate, this inoculation strategy boosted corn yield by 9.2% and soybean yield by 13.9%. These impressive gains were associated with improved root architecture, evidenced by a 6.6% increase in corn root length and a 5.0% increase in soybean root length, alongside significant shoot (8.4%) and root (19.4%) biomass gains in corn. The stability of 1000-grain weight and foliar nutrient concentrations indicated that growth promotion was primarily driven by enhanced nutrient use efficiency rather than increased uptake. These findings validate the Bacillus consortium’s practical potential to effectively offset substantial phosphate reductions, fostering the sustainable intensification of corn and soybean production in tropical soils.
Anna Flávia Neri de Almeida, E. Meyer, Fernando Maranho Watanabe et al.· Ciência e Agrotecnologia· 0 citations
Background: Seed deterioration during storage is a major constraint in legume production, particularly under ambient conditions. Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] is highly susceptible to loss of viability, vigour as well as increased pathogen and insect infestation. Developing innovative seed treatment combine chemical and organic agents may offer a sustainable solution to extend shelf life of seeds while reducing environmental risks. Methods: A 16 month storage experiment (April 2021-August 2022) was conducted using nine seed treatment combinations comprising fungicides, insecticides, bio agents, botanicals and domestic materials. Seeds of mungbean variety Sweta were stored under ambient laboratory conditions. Seed quality parameters such as germination (%), Seedling vigour Index I and II, disease infection (%) and insect infestation (%)were evaluated at bimonthly intervals. Data were analyzed using ANOVA in a completely randomized design (CRD) with F-statistics and treatment ´ time interactions. Result: Seed quality declined progressively across all treatments, with untreated control (T0) showing rapid deterioration. In contrast, T3 (Bavistin + cypermethrin + rhizobium + trichoderma + neem oil + camphor) consistently outperformed all the other treatments, maintaining germination at 70%, SVI I at 1522.76 and SVI II at 12.53 after 16 months, compared to significantly lower values recorded in the control (51.5%, 654.81 and 5.72, respectively), which could be attributed to synergistic effect of fungicide, insecticide and biological mechanisms acting across the storage period. T3 recorded lowest disease infection and insect infestation, keeping seeds healthy for up to 14 months, while control seeds fell below the Indian minimum seed certification standards after 6 months of storage. This integrated approach of combining organic and chemical seed treatments offer a practical pathway toward sustainable agriculture, balancing immediate chemical efficacy with long term environmental safety.
Shreya Singh, A. Jatav, Pranjal Singh et al.· Indian Journal of Agricultur...· 0 citations
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