Response of Zea mays var. Jala to Burkholderia sp. and Klebsiella oxytogena under reduced urea dose

Abstract

Introduction: The growing of maize (zea mays L.) in Latin America is carried out under the intensive production system, which causes loss of soil fertility due to excessive nitrogen fertilizer. Objective: Analyzing the response of maize var. Jala to genera of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) endophytes of maize var. Mexicana (teocintle) when using nitrogen fertilizer such as urea at 50 % under greenhouse and soil conditions. Methodology: A randomized block design was established with five treatments, three controls and twenty repetitions. The treatments with inoculated maize seeds and 50 % urea were: Burkholderia (KO) and Burkholderia sp. 14 (B14); the controls were: non-inoculated maize with 50 % urea (RC1), non-inoculated maize irrigated with water (FC) and non-inoculated maize with 100 % urea (RC2). The experiments were established under greenhouse and soil conditions. The response variables were radical dry weight (RDW) and fresh weight of grain (FWG). ANOVA and Tukey’s mean comparison (P ≤ 0.01) were carried out. Results: In both environments, treatment B14 showed statistically higher values than those obtained with FC (full control), but statistically equal to RC2 (relative control). Study limitations: Maize varieties have specific and beneficial endophytic PGPB genera, which are not necessarily for regional varieties. Originality: PGPB endophytes from teocintle (ancestor of maize) were used because of their close genetic relationship with the maize var. Jala. Conclusion: PGPB endophytes from teocintle are a viable option for sustainable maize production.