Exogenously applied nitrogenous fertilizers and effective microorganisms improve plant growth of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) and soil fertility

Abstract

The effects of different fertilizers and biofertilizers on crop production to increase plant growth, improve quality and yield components (dry leaves yield, leaf protein, and stevioside) of crops has been extensively studied. However, the combination of both types of fertilizers have rarely been investigated. To explore the effect of different fertilizers and biofertilizers on stevia plant, a two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the growth response of stevia plants under the influence of nitrogenous fertilizers (NFs) and effective microorganisms (EM). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design, with EM as the main plot factor (−EM and +EM) and NFs as the subplot factor [control, chemical NFs (Ch-N) and organic NFs (Org-N)]. The results showed that, plants treated with EM and Org-N showed 2-, 2.2-, 2.4-, 2.5-, 3.3- and 3-fold increases in plant height, number of branches, total leaf area, plant fresh weight, plant dry weight and leaf dry yield, respectively, compared to untreated plants. Similarly, plants receiving EM along with Ch-N showed 1.86-, 1.7-, 2.2-, 2.12-, 3-, and 2.72-fold increases in the same traits. Total chlorophyll, protein, N, P, K and sativoside contents were increased by 88.8, 152, 138, 151.5, 43 and 137.5% when EM and Org-N were applied to stevia plants. Application of EM together with Ch-N increased these properties by 0.5, 127.7, 115, 216, 42.6 and 83.8%, respectively in the same traits. Overall, the combined application of NFs and EM improved growth, yield and nutrient accumulation in stevia plants.

Response of Bread Wheat Cultivars Inoculated with Azotobacter Species under Different Nitrogen Application Rates

“…With respect to improved seed output in plants that had been fed with N-containing biofertilizers, researchers have claimed that when plants take N and other nutrients, they will be in a better position for nutrient uptake, since they will be in a more balanced state [46]. This contribution of biofertilizers ultimately results in a high yield as a direct consequence [47][48][49][50]. Moreover, biofertilizers' bacteria improve the structure and activity of beneficial soil microbes, which in turn provide plants with optimal access to water and nutrients, which in turn increase yields [51].…”

Genetic analysis of yield traits in Egyptian cotton crosses (Gossypium barbdense L.) under normal conditions

“…A strategy like this also aids in the selection of prospective parents and crossing for the development of high-yielding hybrids [23]. Such a method also assists in the selection of promising parents and crosses for developing high-yielding hybrids [24][25][26][27][28][29] and provides information about GCA (additive) of parents and SCA (non-additive) of crosses, and at the same time, it helps identify the best heterotic crosses [30][31][32][33]. The most notable advantage of the line x tester technique over other crossing methods is that it requires fewer experimental materials for the mating procedure.…”

Determination of morpho-physiological and yield traits of maize inbred lines (Zea mays L.) under optimal and drought stress conditions

“…As a result, the selection of these inbred lines would be of tremendous assistance in enhancing the mean performance of the genotypes that were screened. In accordance with previous research on soybean, genotypes of soybeans that were resistant to drought and salinity were identified using the MTSI criterion ( Zuffo et al, 2020 ; Youssef et al, 2021 ). Furthermore, an earlier study was carried to develop maize breeding procedures that are based on multivariate selection ( Elmardy et al, 2021 ; Olivoto et al, 2021 ), and demonstrated that it is possible to discover hybrids that combine the desirable mean performance with stability for yield-related characteristics.…”