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The present study investigated the efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus subtilis in minimizing phosphorus fertilizer use in maize cultivation. Maize plants, cultivar Bm207, were subjected to 10 treatments with varying levels of phosphorus fertilization (0, 50, and 100%) and inoculation with B. subtilis, T. harzianum, or both. The plant growth parameters, including the height, stem diameter, shoot, and root dry weight, root volume, phosphorus content in the soil and plant tissues, and chlorophyll and carotenoid content, were evaluated. Treatments without mineral fertilization showed the lowest values for most parameters, despite the microbial inoculation. The combination of 100% mineral fertilizers with microbes did not improve the plant growth compared with the controls. However, the treatments with 50% mineral fertilization along with microbial inoculation generally maintained parameter values similar to those of the 100% fertilized control, suggesting the potential for reducing fertilizer doses by 50% without compromising plant development. Inoculation with B. subtilis and T. harzianum coupled with the use of mineral fertilizers improved the soil phosphorus availability compared to fertilizer application alone. This study highlights the potential of these microorganisms to enhance soil fertility and plant growth while reducing chemical fertilizer use in maize cultivation, although further field research is necessary to verify the long-term sustainability of this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Soybean is a significant export product for several countries, including the United States and Brazil. There are numerous varieties of soybean. Among them, a genetically modified type known as INTACTA RR2 PRO™ has been designed to demonstrate resistance to glyphosate and to produce toxins that are lethal to several species of caterpillars. Limited information is available on the use of Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus subtilis to promote plant growth and their impact on the plant microbiome. Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of these microorganisms on this soybean cultivar by analyzing parameters, such as root and shoot dry matter, nutritional status, and root and soil microbial diversity. Results: The results indicated that treatments with B. subtilis alone or in combination with T. harzianum as seed or seed and soil applications significantly enhanced plant height and biomass compared to the other treatments and the control. No significant differences in phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations were detected across treatments, although some treatments showed close correlations with these nutrients. Microbial inoculations slightly influenced the soil and root microbiomes, with significant beta diversity differences between soil and root environments, but had a limited overall impact on community composition. Discussion: The combined application of B. subtilis and T. harzianum particularly enhanced plant growth and promoted plant-associated microbial groups, such as Rhizobiaceae, optimizing plant-microbe interactions. Furthermore, the treatments resulted in a slight reduction in fungal richness and diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]