Inoculation with Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria to Reduce Phosphate Fertilization Requirement and Enhance Technological Quality and Yield of Sugarcane

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) is a critical nutrient for high sugarcane yields throughout its cultivation cycles, however, a higher amount of P becomes rapidly unavailable to plants due to its adsorption to soil colloids. Some plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPBs) may be able to enhance P availability to plants and produce phytohormones that contribute to crop development, quality, and yield. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate leaf concentrations of nitrogen (N) and P, yield, and technological quality of sugarcane as a function of different levels of phosphate fertilization associated with inoculation of PGPBs. The experiment was carried out at Ilha Solteira, São Paulo—Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks with three replications, consisting of five phosphorus rates (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of the recommended P2O5 rate) and eight inoculations, involving three species of PGPBs (Azospirillum brasilense, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas fluorescens) which were applied combined or in a single application into the planting furrow of RB92579 sugarcane variety. The inoculation of B. subtilis and P. fluorescens provided a higher concentration of leaf P in sugarcane. The P2O5 rates combined with inoculation of bacteria alter technological variables and stalk yield of sugarcane. The excess and lack of phosphate fertilizer is harmful to sugarcane cultivation, regardless of the use of growth-promoting bacteria. We recommend the inoculation with A. brasilense + B. subtilis associated with 45 kg ha−1 of P2O5 aiming at greater stalk yield. This treatment also increases sugar yield, resulting in a savings of 75% of the recommended P2O5 rate, thus being a more efficient and sustainable alternative for reducing sugarcane crop production costs.

From Soil Amendments to Controlling Autophagy: Supporting Plant Metabolism under Conditions of Water Shortage and Salinity

“…Both of the methods described in this review, soil improvement with biochar and inoculation with growth promoting microorganisms, are already used in agriculture. To meet the immediate needs of agriculture more easily and to improve soil-plant interactions, these two methods have already attracted increased attention [116,233,322,323]. Soil improvement with biochar can meet the first requirement, i.e., the enhancement of water and nutrient holding capacity of the soil.…”

“…Salicylic acid is involved in the control of ROS production in the cytosol [228]. As the beneficial effect is associated with an increased production of osmolytes, salicylic acid, and jasmonate, as well as a reduction in ethylene production, the signaling sequence resulting in the beneficial effect needs to be elucidated [149,[229][230][231][232][233]. Respective investigations are complicated since some of the soil bacteria are capable of producing further plant hormones [234][235][236].…”

Agronomic Performance and Productivity of Plant-Cane Sugarcane Under The Application of Various Dosage of Biofertilizer and Inorganic Fertilizer

“…Positive interactions between PGPM and sugarcane have been reported by different researchers worldwide (De Oliveira et al, 2006;Rosa et al, 2022), it is also alluring to test the BF on sugarcane. The present research aimed to examine the effectiveness of the BF in various doses and in combination with IF on sugarcane growth and productivity, so that the most optimum dose combination of both fertilizer types on sugarcane growth and productivity can be known.…”

Regulatory Mechanisms of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria and Plant Nutrition against Abiotic Stresses in Brassicaceae Family

“…Several genera of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) including Azospirillum , Bacillus , Rhizobium , Pseudomonas and Bradyrhizobium showed positive interactions with different vegetables species [ 36 , 37 ]. Several previous studies highlighted the capacity of different PGPRs in biological nitrogen fixation (N 2 ) [ 38 , 39 ], increasing the availability of iron (Fe) [ 40 ], phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) solubilization and transportation [ 41 , 42 ]. The PGPRs also improved the performance and growth of plants through the production of phytohormones such as gibberellins, ethylene, cytokinin, auxins and salicylic acid [ 43 , 44 ].…”