Advantages of Amending Chemical Fertilizer with Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria under Alternate Wetting Drying Rice Cultivation

Abstract

Chemical fertilizer (CF) is necessary for optimal growth and grain production in rice farming. However, the continuous application of synthetic substances has adverse effects on the natural environment. Amending synthetic fertilizer with plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is an alternate option to reduce CF usage. In this study, a field trial was undertaken in southern Taiwan. We aimed to investigate the effects of reducing CF, either partially or completely, with PGPR on the vegetative growth, biomass production, and grain yield of rice plants cultivated under alternate wetting and drying (AWD) cultivation. In addition, we aimed to determine an optimal reduction in CF dose when incorporated with PGPR for application in rice cultivation under AWD. The trial consisted of four treatments, namely, 0% CF + 100% PGPR (FP1), 25% CF + 75% PGPR (FP2) 50% CF + 50% PGPR (FP3), and 100% CF + 0% PGPR (CONT). A randomized complete blocked design (RCBD) with three replicates was used. A reduction in CF by 25–50% with the difference compensated by PGPR significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced the crops biomass production. This improved the percentage of filled grains (PFG), and the thousand-grain weight (1000-GW) of treated plants by 4–5%. These improvements in growth and yield components eventually increased the grain yield production by 14%. It is concluded that partial replacement of CF with PGPR could be a viable approach to reduce the use of CF in existing rice cultivation systems. Furthermore, the approach has potential as a sustainable technique for rice cultivation.

Effects of Sphingobium yanoikuyae SJTF8 on Rice (Oryza sativa) Seed Germination and Root Development

“…Furthermore, the bacteria greatly improved the crop's biomass and increased the number of fruits produced. Other researchers observed a similar response when they applied the bacteria (S. yanoikuyae) to rice (Oryza sativa) under moisture deficit conditions [37]. Its combination with a Bacillus spp.…”

“…When combined, they were able to promote growth in rice plants under depleted soil moisture conditions. The combination of PGPR also allowed for a reduction in the synthetic fertilizer application of up to 50% [37,38]. Mean values followed by different letters within columns significantly differ at p ≤ 0.05 according to DMRT.…”

“…Thus, observing the bacterial effect on the seedling growth and the amount of IAA present in the seedling prior to transplant can provide options to ensure better crop growth. This early growth stage can also encourage the plant biomass production, which can substantially influence the grain production [37]. The application of S. yanoikuyae SJTF8 with different concentrations had varied effects on the rice seedling growth.…”

Endophytic Bacteria-based Biostimulant Improved Rice (Oryzae sativa L.) Growth and Production in Mali

“…This saving of 25% in chemical fertilizers is lower than the saving of 50% obtained in the present study. [24] obtained lower results with the use of 25% nitrogen-based fertilizer and 50% PGPR. This dose allowed them to have a 6% increase in rice grain yield.…”

A Consortium of Soil Bacteria Mediates the Partial Replacement of Mineral Fertilizer for Sustainable Grapevine Cultivation in Sandy Soil

“…Flam Seedless is a popular grape grown in Egypt for local consumption and export markets. Meanwhile, excessive, and continuous application of chemical fertilizers increases the production costs, decrease fruit quality, and harm soil chemical and biological properties causing an environmental pollution [49]. In this respect, biofertilizers including the PGPR have reported to improv nutritional rank, yield, physical and chemical properties of colonized soil [50][51][52].…”