Search

Information regarding the interaction between biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) with Azospirillum brasilense inoculation and the use of silicon (Si) is needed. Silicon exerts numerous benefits on grasses, especially when the plants are subjected to biotic and abiotic stresses, affecting plant nutrition. The aim of this research was to determine if there is a synergistic effect between the inoculation with A. brasilense and Si use, on macro-nutrient content in corn shoot and root. The field trial was performed in Selvíria, Brazil, on a Typic Rhodic Hapludox soil under no-till system. The experimental design was a completely randomized block design with four replicates arranged in a 2 × 5 × 2 triple factorial arrangement, consisting of two soil acidity corrective sources (dolomitic limestone and Ca and Mg silicate as sources of Si); five N doses (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1 applied in topdressing); with and without seed inoculation with A. brasilense. The inoculation favored N concentration in shoots and increased the N and S concentration even when associated to high N rates in topdressing. The Si as Ca and Mg silicate associated with the increment of N rates does not promote an increase in the macronutrients uptake. Although it did not favor the N use, the Si also did not negatively affect the benefits of the A. brasilense.

The aim of this study was to analyze whether there are differences between the inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense and the silicon application, thus enabling a higher efficiency of nitrogen fertilization, evaluating micronutrients and silicon concentration in shoots and roots of irrigated corn (Zea mays). The experiment was conducted in Selviria, Brazil, under a no-till system, on a Typic Rhodic Hapludox. The experiment was set up as a randomized block design with four replications, in a 2 × 5 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of two soil corrective sources (dolomitic limestone and Ca and Mg silicate as source of Si); five N rates (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1); with and without inoculation with A. brasilense. N rates increased B, Cu and Fe concentrations in shoots and B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and Si in roots. Inoculation provided greater concentrations of B and Fe in shoots, and B in roots. Although inoculation with A. brasilense favored micronutrient uptake, it negatively affected Si concentration in shoots in 2015/16 crop. The use of Si in the form of Ca and Mg silicate promotes an increase in Mn, Si and Zn uptake in shoots and Mn and Si concentration in roots.

Introduction and aims: The intensive cropping system and imbalance use of chemical fertilizers to pursue high grain production and feed the fast-growing global population has disturbed agricultural sustainability and nutritional security. Understanding micronutrient fertilizer management especially zinc (Zn) through foliar application is a crucial agronomic approach that could improve agronomic biofortification of staple grain crops. The use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPBs) is considered as one of the sustainable and safe strategies that could improve nutrient acquisition and uptake in edible tissues of wheat to combat Zn malnutrition and hidden hunger in humans. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the best-performing PGPB inoculants in combination with nano-Zn foliar application on the growth, grain yield, and concentration of Zn in shoots and grains, Zn use efficiencies, and estimated Zn intake under wheat cultivation in the tropical savannah of Brazil. Methods: The treatments consisted of four PGPB inoculations (without inoculation, Azospirillum brasilense, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas fluorescens, applied by seeds) and five Zn doses (0, 0.75, 1.5, 3, and 6 kg ha-1, applied from nano ZnO in two splits by leaf). Results: Inoculation of B. subtilis and P. fluorescens in combination with 1.5 kg ha-1 foliar nano-Zn fertilization increased the concentration of Zn, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the shoot and grain of wheat in the 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons. Shoot dry matter was increased by 5.3% and 5.4% with the inoculation of P. fluorescens, which was statistically not different from the treatments with inoculation of B. subtilis as compared to control. The grain yield of wheat was increased with increasing nano-Zn foliar application up to 5 kg Zn ha-1 with the inoculation of A. brasilense in 2019, and foliar nano-Zn up to a dose of 1.5 kg ha-1 along with the inoculation of P. fluorescens in the 2020 cropping season. The zinc partitioning index was increased with increasing nano Zn application up to 3 kg ha-1 along with the inoculation of P. fluorescens. Zinc use efficiency and applied Zn recovery were improved at low doses of nano-Zn application in combination with the inoculation of A. brasilense, B. subtilis, and P. fluorescens, respectively, as compared to control. Discussion: Therefore, inoculation with B. subtilis and P. fluorescens along with foliar nano-Zn application is considered a sustainable and environmentally safe strategy to increase nutrition, growth, productivity, and Zn biofortification of wheat in tropical savannah. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was developed to investigate if Ca and Mg silicate application as Si source combined with inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense and N rates can affect corn nutrient uptake. The study was set up in a Rhodic Hapludox under no-till system, located in Selvíria, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Treatments included: (i) two seed inoculation (with and without A. brasilense); (ii) two soil amendment sources (Ca and Mg silicate as Si source and dolomitic limestone); and (iii) five N application rates applied as side-dress (0 to 200 kg ha−1). Increasing N rates positively influenced corn nutrition with increased nutrient and Si uptake in shoot and grain. The average nutrient uptake in descending order was K > N > Ca > Si > Mg > S > P >Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > B for shoot and N > K > P > S > Mg > Ca > Si> Fe > Zn > Mn > B > Cu for grain. Calcium and Mg silicate application positively influenced corn nutrition with greater shoot P, K, Ca, S, and B uptake and grain Ca uptake. Inoculation with A. brasilense was found to increase nutrient uptake with greater shoot N, K, Ca, B, and Si and grain Cu uptake. Grain N and S increased by 22.5 and 26.8% when plants were inoculated and 200 kg N ha−1 was applied and grain Zn increased by 88.6, 65.7, and 99% when plants were inoculated and 50, 150, and 200 kg N ha−1 were applied, respectively. Therefore, studies conducted under tropical conditions are needed to better understand the role of Si combined with PGPB inoculation under different N management and their effects on plant nutrition and cereal development aiming at improving nutrient replenishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interactive effect of silicon (Si) application on soil fertility is poorly understood when inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense is performed. This research determined if Si application and A. brasilense inoculation to corn (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has agronomic benefits on soil nutrient concentration and grain yield. Treatments were tested under a no-till system in a Rhodic Haplustox in a full factorial design with four replicates and comprised (a) two soil amendment sources--calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) silicate and dolomitic limestone; (b) with and without seed inoculation with A. brasilense; and (c) five sampling dates collected during two corn-wheat crop rotations (2015-2017). Calcium and Mg silicate application was effective at decreasing soil hydrogen + aluminum (H+Al) and Al content and increasing soil pH, sum of bases, and base saturation. However, silicate changed soil nutrient availability, reduced cation exchange capacity, phosphorus (P) and Mg content and did not significantly affect (p > .05) corn and wheat grain yield. Inoculation reduced Al toxicity, with lower H+Al and Al contents, and increased K content, leading to a greater pH and base saturation after four cropping seasons. Inoculation increased corn and wheat grain yield by 8.2 and 8.3%, respectively. Application of Ca and Mg silicate was more effective than limestone as a liming agent but could result in decreased availability of certain nutrients in soil. Inoculation with A. brasilense could be an important management practice to maintain adequate Si content in soil when limestone is applied. However, with silicate application, A. brasilense could increase Si depletion in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyze whether there are differences between the inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense and the silicon application, thus enabling a higher efficiency of nitrogen fertilization, evaluating micronutrients and silicon concentration in shoots and roots of irrigated corn (Zea mays). The experiment was conducted in Selvíria, Brazil, under a no-till system, on a Typic Rhodic Hapludox. The experiment was set up as a randomized block design with four replications, in a 2 x 5 x 2 factorial arrangement consisting of two soil corrective sources (dolomitic limestone and Ca and Mg silicate as source of Si); five N rates (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1); with and without inoculation with A. brasilense. N rates increased B, Cu and Fe concentrations in shoots and B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and Si in roots. Inoculation provided greater concentrations of B and Fe in shoots, and B in roots. Although inoculation with A. brasilense favored micronutrient uptake, it negatively affected Si concentration in shoots in 2015/16 crop. The use of Si in the form of Ca and Mg silicate promotes an increase in Mn, Si and Zn uptake in shoots and Mn and Si concentration in roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]