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Agronomy
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The Effects of Inoculation with Microorganisms on Plant Nutrition, Yield...
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The Effects of Inoculation with Microorganisms on Plant Nutrition, Yield and Quality

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil and Plant Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 May 2024 | Viewed by 19985

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Plant Protection, Rural Engineering and Soils, São Paulo State University (UNESP) - Campus of Ilha Solteira, Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil
Interests: plant nutrition; fertilization; soil fertility; efficiency-enhanced fertilizers; plant growth-promoting bacteria associated with reduced fertilization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mariangela Hungria

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária - Embrapa, Brasilia, Brazil
Interests: soil microbiology; plant growth-promoting bacteria; sustainable agriculture; inoculants; biofertilizers; biological nitrogen fixation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Agronomy will be publishing a Special Issue entitled The Effects of Inoculation with Microorganisms on Plant Nutrition, Yield and Quality that will focus on studies regarding the benefits of using microorganisms for modern agriculture worldwide. Farmers are increasingly suffering due to climate change, land degradation and high fertilizer prices. However, correct fertilizer management is essential to satisfy plant nutrition, and does not cause a reduction in nutrients or soil fertility. In this sense, balanced plant nutrition will provide greater productivity and quality of agricultural products, such as agronomic biofortification. Thinking about the sustainability of the agroecosystem, further studies are needed that seek to increase the efficiency of mineral fertilizers, especially nitrogen and phosphate. Therefore, the most sustainable and smart solution is the inoculation or co-inoculation of cultivated plants with microorganisms such as plant growth-promoting bacteria, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and phosphate and other nutrient solubilizing microorganisms. To achieve these goals in various agricultural crops (cereals, legumes, vegetables, fruits, forage grasses, industrial and forestry crops), further studies on the effects of the use of microorganisms are essential. These have multiple mechanisms of action that can increase plant nutrition, yield and agricultural quality.

Prof. Dr. Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho
Dr. Mariangela Hungria
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • plant growth-promoting bacteria
  • sustainable agriculture
  • inoculants, biofertilizers
  • nutrient use efficiency
  • biological nitrogen fixation
  • nutrient solubilization

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 3773 KiB  
Article
Microbiological Biostimulants in the Improvement of Extended Storage Quality of In Vitro-Derived Plants of Popular Ornamental Perennials
by Natalia Miler, Alicja Tymoszuk, Anita Woźny, Tomasz Michalik, Justyna Wiśniewska and Dariusz Kulus
Agronomy 2024, 14(2), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14020289 - 27 Jan 2024
Viewed by 820
Abstract
In vitro propagation is a crucial method for the mass production of high-quality plants, but the impact of microbiological interventions during ex vitro storage remains an underexplored aspect. This study aims to assess the effects of three commercial biostimulants in the form of [...] Read more.
In vitro propagation is a crucial method for the mass production of high-quality plants, but the impact of microbiological interventions during ex vitro storage remains an underexplored aspect. This study aims to assess the effects of three commercial biostimulants in the form of microbiological preparations—BactoFungiStop, AzotoPower, and Guard—applied over six months through foliar sprays on the post-storage quality of Brunnera macrophylla ‘Silver Heart’, Echinacea purpurea ‘Secret Glow’, Heuchera × hybrida ‘Northern Exposure Red’, Persicaria amplecicaulis ‘JS Caliente’, and Rudbeckia × hybrida ‘Sunbeckia Sophia Yellow’ plants. The monthly application of microbiological preparations adhered to the concentrations recommended by producers. Post-storage evaluations included shoot and root parameters, leaf morphology, and chlorophyll biosynthesis. All microbiological preparations positively influenced shoot elongation in B. macrophylla ‘Silver Heart’. The microbiological treatments stimulated root development in this species, i.e., increased root length, area, volume, and the number of root forks and tips. In E. purpurea ‘Secret Glow’, all three preparations enhanced shoot length, leaf parameters, and root traits, with Guard demonstrating the highest efficacy. As for P. amplecicaulis ‘JS Caliente’, BactoFungiStop negatively affected shoot and leaf parameters but promoted root development. Heuchera × hybrida ‘Northern Exposure Red’ exhibited increased shoot and leaf dimensions with all microbiological treatments, while Rudbeckia × hybrida ‘Sunbeckia Sophia Yellow’ displayed positive responses in shoot-related traits but no impact on root development. None of the microbiological preparations influenced chlorophyll biosynthesis in any of the studied species. The results of our research can be implemented in the large-scale production of ornamental plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Inoculation with Microorganisms on Plant Nutrition, Yield and Quality)
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12 pages, 4932 KiB  
Article
Effect of Mineral Fertilization and Microbial Inoculation on Cabbage Yield and Nutrition: A Field Experiment
by Wilfrand F. Bejarano-Herrera, Carlos A. Marcillo-Paguay, Daniel F. Rojas-Tapias and German A. Estrada-Bonilla
Agronomy 2024, 14(1), 210; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010210 - 18 Jan 2024
Viewed by 812
Abstract
Cabbage serves as an important food and nutrition source for numerous communities in the world, yet its production requires substantial quantities of chemical fertilizers. In this study, we assessed the impact of both increasing nitrogen and phosphorus mineral (NP) fertilization, along with the [...] Read more.
Cabbage serves as an important food and nutrition source for numerous communities in the world, yet its production requires substantial quantities of chemical fertilizers. In this study, we assessed the impact of both increasing nitrogen and phosphorus mineral (NP) fertilization, along with the application of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) on the N and P uptake, quality, and yield of cabbage. To this end, we conducted two consecutive field experiments following a randomized block design with four replicates and two factors: NP doses and PGPB inoculation. PGPB inoculation used a bacterial consortium comprising Azospirillum brasilense D7, Herbaspirillum sp. AP21, and Rhizobium leguminosarum T88. Our results showed a significant influence of both biofertilization and NP fertilization across both crop cycles; however, no interaction between these factors was observed. In the first crop cycle, 75% of NP mineral fertilization (equivalent to 93.6 kg ha−1 of N and 82.1 kg ha−1 of P) positively impacted yield and N uptake. Also, microbial inoculation significantly influenced crop yield, resulting in a 9-ton increase in crop yield per hectare due to biofertilization. In the second crop cycle, we observed a significant positive effect of mineral fertilization on cabbage yield and nutritional quality. The relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) index showed that combining biological fertilization with 50% and 75% of the NP fertilization, respectively, increased yield by 66% and 48% compared to the commercial NP dosage without PGPB. Collectively, our results demonstrated that within our experimental setup, NP fertilization dosage can be reduced without any detrimental impact on yield. Moreover, biofertilization could enhance cabbage quality and yield in field conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Inoculation with Microorganisms on Plant Nutrition, Yield and Quality)
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15 pages, 2789 KiB  
Article
Regulatory Effect of Light and Rhizobial Inoculation on the Root Architecture and Plant Performance of Pasture Legumes
by Irene Ariadna De Lara-Del Rey and María A. Pérez-Fernández
Agronomy 2023, 13(8), 2058; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13082058 - 03 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 781
Abstract
Rhizobial associations with leguminous plants are some of the most important symbioses on Earth, and they have economic relevance in agriculture. Because their interactions are positive and have advantages for both partners, nitrogen-fixing rhizobia also demand significant carbohydrate allocation in exchange for key [...] Read more.
Rhizobial associations with leguminous plants are some of the most important symbioses on Earth, and they have economic relevance in agriculture. Because their interactions are positive and have advantages for both partners, nitrogen-fixing rhizobia also demand significant carbohydrate allocation in exchange for key nutrients, and this demand is reflected in the anatomy of roots. In the current scenario of climate change, rhizobia–legume interactions can be affected, and plants may need to compensate for carbon loss when light availability is not correct. Under such conditions, roots can modify their anatomy to accommodate symbionts’ needs, and the outcome of an interaction can switch from mutualism to parasitism, resulting in changes in root allocation. We experimented with two legume species originating from well-irradiated environments (Coronilla juncea L. and Ornithopus compressus L.) and two species from shaded environments (Trifolium repens L. and Vicia sativa L.). We applied high radiation, intermediate radiation, and low radiation to two treatments of microbial inoculation (inoculation and control). After an incubation period of 105 days, we quantified the root area, size, and complexity, as well as the nodule production and mass, plant relative growth, and below-ground allocation. For plants originating in shaded environments, nodulation, root complexity, and below-ground allocation were enhanced in inoculated plants when they were transferred to conditions of high irradiance. Strikingly, plants from environments exposed to high light radiation were less plastic when exposed to changing light availability, and the symbionts were less beneficial than expected in stress-free environments. Our study proved that the stress imposed on plants due to high irradiance is overcome when plants are inoculated, and the positive effect is more evident in plants that are usually grown in shaded environments (e.g., Trifolium repens and Vicia sativa). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Inoculation with Microorganisms on Plant Nutrition, Yield and Quality)
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18 pages, 662 KiB  
Article
Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization and Inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum on Nodulation and Yielding of Soybean
by Ewa Szpunar-Krok, Dorota Bobrecka-Jamro, Wojciech Pikuła and Marta Jańczak-Pieniążek
Agronomy 2023, 13(5), 1341; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13051341 - 10 May 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2152
Abstract
Legumes’ nutrition relies on two sources of nitrogen (N): mineral N from soil, and biological N fixation (BNF). The aim of this study was to verify the effect of bacterial inoculation, as well as to compare it with the effect of different mineral [...] Read more.
Legumes’ nutrition relies on two sources of nitrogen (N): mineral N from soil, and biological N fixation (BNF). The aim of this study was to verify the effect of bacterial inoculation, as well as to compare it with the effect of different mineral N fertilization on the main nodulation characteristics, yield components and seed yield of two soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cultivars in the conditions of south-eastern Poland. A randomized block design was used with four replications and combining the application rates of mineral N (0, 30 and 60 kg·ha−1), and seed inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum (HiStick® Soy and Nitragina) were applied for two soybean cultivars (Aldana, Annushka). It has been shown that inoculation of B. japonicum increases the nodulation on plant roots, yield components and seed yield, but no significant effect of the bacterial preparation used on the seed yield was observed. The application of 30 kg N·ha−1 did not result in a significant reduction in the number and weight of nodules, including on the main root and lateral roots, compared to seeds inoculated and not fertilized with N, as observed under a dose of 60 kg N·ha−1, but resulted in an increase in the number of pods and the number and weight of seeds per plant. For both soybean cultivars, the best combination was nitrogen fertilization at 30 kg N·ha−1 and seed inoculation with B. japonicum, regardless of the bacterial preparation used. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Inoculation with Microorganisms on Plant Nutrition, Yield and Quality)
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17 pages, 2648 KiB  
Article
Inoculation with Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria Improves the Sustainability of Tropical Pastures with Megathyrsus maximus
by Gabriel Silva Guimarães, Artur Berbel Lirio Rondina, Admilton Gonçalves de Oliveira Junior, Liana Jank, Marco Antonio Nogueira and Mariangela Hungria
Agronomy 2023, 13(3), 734; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030734 - 28 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3432
Abstract
Brazil is the second-largest producer and the first exporter of beef, with herds mainly raised in extensive pastures, where Megathyrsus maximus occupies over 30 Mha. About 70% of the pastures are under degradation, and using plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) may contribute to reversing this [...] Read more.
Brazil is the second-largest producer and the first exporter of beef, with herds mainly raised in extensive pastures, where Megathyrsus maximus occupies over 30 Mha. About 70% of the pastures are under degradation, and using plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) may contribute to reversing this scenario. We investigated the effects of PGPB on the growth of six cultivars of M. maximus—Tanzania-1, Massai, BRS Zuri, Mombaça, BRS Tamani, and BRS Quênia—under greenhouse conditions. Plants were inoculated, or not, with the elite strains of Azospirillum brasilense CNPSo 2083 + CNPSo 2084, Bacillus subtilis CNPSo 2657, Pseudomonas fluorescens CNPSo 2719, or Rhizobium tropici CNPSo 103. At 35 days after emergence, plants were evaluated for ten root growth traits, shoot dry weight, and the levels of macro and micronutrients accumulated in shoots. Several root traits were increased due to inoculation in all genotypes, impacting plant growth and nutrient uptake. Despite the differences in effectiveness, all genotypes benefited from PGPB to some degree, but Mombaça and BRS Zuri were more responsive. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that bacterial species differed in their capacity to colonize seeds and rootlets. The results show that inoculation with elite PGPB strains may represent an important strategy for the sustainability of M. maximus pastures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Inoculation with Microorganisms on Plant Nutrition, Yield and Quality)
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14 pages, 1454 KiB  
Article
Phosphate Fertilization and Mycorrhizal Inoculation Increase Corn Leaf and Grain Nutrient Contents
by Fernando de Souza Buzo, Nayara Fernanda Siviero Garcia, Lucas Martins Garé, Isabela Martins Bueno Gato, Juliana Trindade Martins, José Otávio Masson Martins, Pamela Roberta de Souza Morita, Maura Santos Reis de Andrade Silva, Letícia Zylmennith de Souza Sales, Amaia Nogales, Everlon Cid Rigobelo and Orivaldo Arf
Agronomy 2022, 12(7), 1597; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12071597 - 01 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1928
Abstract
The agricultural use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, such as Rhizoglomus intraradices, can increase the efficiency of phosphate fertilization for the benefit of the corn plant and grain nutrition. In this study, a field experiment was conducted in an area of Selvíria/MS, Brazil, [...] Read more.
The agricultural use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, such as Rhizoglomus intraradices, can increase the efficiency of phosphate fertilization for the benefit of the corn plant and grain nutrition. In this study, a field experiment was conducted in an area of Selvíria/MS, Brazil, in the years 2019 and 2020, to verify the effects of reduced doses of phosphorus combined with the inoculation of corn seed with R. intraradices on corn plant growth and grain nutrient contents. The experiment was laid in a randomized block design in subdivided plots with four repetitions and twenty treatments resulting from combining five doses of P2O5 (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the recommended dose) with four doses (0, 60, 120, and 180 g ha−1) of an inoculant containing R. intraradices. Leaf and kernel macro- and micronutrient contents were evaluated. The foliar P content in 2020 was a function of the interaction between phosphate fertilization and AMF inoculation, with the highest leaf P content observed at the 100% of P2O5 combined with AMF inoculation between 120 and 140 g ha−1. In the grains Mg content, an interaction was observed between the two factors in 2020 and the response surface, showing that the highest Mg content was obtained when maximum doses of P2O5 and maximum doses of inoculant were combined. A response surface showed that, in 2020, the highest leaf Zn content occurred when 35–55% P2O5 is applied with no inoculation and when P2O5 is limited to 20–30%, and there is inoculation with doses between 90 and 150 g ha−1. Phosphate fertilization increased foliar K (2019) and Mg (2020) contents, with maximum points at doses of 76.57% and 88.80%, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Inoculation with Microorganisms on Plant Nutrition, Yield and Quality)
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15 pages, 2204 KiB  
Article
Co-Inoculations with Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria in the Common Bean to Increase Efficiency of NPK Fertilization
by Emariane Satin Mortinho, Arshad Jalal, Carlos Eduardo da Silva Oliveira, Guilherme Carlos Fernandes, Nathália Cristina Marchiori Pereira, Poliana Aparecida Leonel Rosa, Vagner do Nascimento, Marco Eustáquio de Sá and Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho
Agronomy 2022, 12(6), 1325; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12061325 - 30 May 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2662
Abstract
Given the hypothesis that co-inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) enhances the beneficial effects of Rhizobium tropici with greater mineral nutrition, optimizes biological nitrogen fixation and reduces use of fertilizers in bean plants, the objective of this research was to evaluate the synergistic [...] Read more.
Given the hypothesis that co-inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) enhances the beneficial effects of Rhizobium tropici with greater mineral nutrition, optimizes biological nitrogen fixation and reduces use of fertilizers in bean plants, the objective of this research was to evaluate the synergistic effects of Rhizobium tropici associated with Azospirillum brasilense, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens and their combinations, on increasing the efficiency of NPK fertilization to obtain high winter yields of the (irrigated) common bean in the Cerrado region. The experiment was carried out in the field over two years in a Rhodic Hapludox under a no-till system in Selvíria, Brazil. The experimental design comprised complete randomized blocks with four replications in a 3 × 7 factorial scheme. The treatments consisted of three doses of NPK fertilizer (control—0 kg ha−1 (control); 50% of the recommended dose; 100% of the recommended dose in two parts) and seven doses of inoculation or co-inoculation (control; Rhizobium tropici; R. tropici + Azospirillum brasilense; R. tropici + Bacillus subtilis; R. tropici + Pseudomonas fluorescens; R. tropici + A. brasilense + B. subtilis; R. tropici + A. brasilense + P. fluorescens). The PGPB in the co-inoculations increased the hundred-grain weight, the grain pod−1, the grain plant−1 and the grain yield following the NPK doses. The grain yield of the common bean was increased by co-inoculation with R. tropici + A. brasilense + P. fluorescens without NPK treatments, co-inoculation with R. tropici + P. fluorescens and R. tropici + A. brasilense + B. subtilis with the 50% dose of NPK and co-inoculation with R. tropici + B. subtilis with the recommended dose of NPK fertilizer (100%). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Inoculation with Microorganisms on Plant Nutrition, Yield and Quality)
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18 pages, 4006 KiB  
Article
Growth Performance and Nitrogen Fixing Efficiency of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Genotypes in Symbiosis with Rhizobia under Combined Salinity and Hypoxia Stresses
by Sabrine Benmoussa, Issam Nouairi, Imen Rajhi, Saber Rezgui, Khediri Manai, Wael Taamali, Zouhaier Abbes, Kais Zribi, Renaud Brouquisse and Haythem Mhadhbi
Agronomy 2022, 12(3), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12030606 - 28 Feb 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2257
Abstract
The present study was carried out in order to investigate the behaviour of six faba bean (Vicia faba Minor) genotypes (Saber 02, Locale, Baachar, Badii, Chourouk and Najeh) in response to salinity and flooding (hypoxia), either alone or combined, to identify tolerant [...] Read more.
The present study was carried out in order to investigate the behaviour of six faba bean (Vicia faba Minor) genotypes (Saber 02, Locale, Baachar, Badii, Chourouk and Najeh) in response to salinity and flooding (hypoxia), either alone or combined, to identify tolerant genotypes and to select efficient faba bean-rhizobia symbiosis under salinity and/or hypoxia conditions. faba bean genotypes were cultivated in three agricultural soils with either low (160 µs/cm) or moderate (1850 µs/cm) salt content and submitted or not to a 30-day long flooding period. Growth parameters and photosynthetic performance were analyzed at the end of the flowering period. At harvest time, the Najeh genotype showed the highest dry mass production in both control and hypoxia conditions (7.90 and 6.75 g/plant, respectively), whereas Saber 02 showed the lowest (3.75 and 2.25 g/plant, respectively). Differences between genotypes were less marked in salinity or combined salinity/flooding conditions. Principal component analysis of the analyzed parameters revealed that the Najeh genotype presents the best growth and the lowest photosynthetic perturbation and lipid peroxidation levels, whether under control or hypoxic conditions, whereas Saber 02 and Locale genotypes were less productive. Ninety bacteria strains were isolated from Vicia faba root nodules. Of these, 47 strains were identified as rhizobia, and 20 were able to re-nodulate the host plant. After the characterization, identification and selection process, four strains were selected as the best faba bean symbiotic partners based on their symbiotic efficiency and salt tolerance behaviours. Our results suggest that faba bean tolerant genotypes in symbiosis with these strains could be useful in enhancing legume cultivation under saline and hypoxia field conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Inoculation with Microorganisms on Plant Nutrition, Yield and Quality)
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Review

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23 pages, 903 KiB  
Review
Pointing Out Opportunities to Increase Grassland Pastures Productivity via Microbial Inoculants: Attending the Society’s Demands for Meat Production with Sustainability
by Gabriel Silva Guimarães, Artur Berbel Lirio Rondina, Mariana Sanches Santos, Marco Antonio Nogueira and Mariangela Hungria
Agronomy 2022, 12(8), 1748; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12081748 - 25 Jul 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3425
Abstract
Estimates are that land area occupied by grass pasture far exceeds that of other crops; at least half are at some stage of degradation. The use of elite plant-growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM) as inoculants represents an important strategy to achieve qualitative and quantitative improvements [...] Read more.
Estimates are that land area occupied by grass pasture far exceeds that of other crops; at least half are at some stage of degradation. The use of elite plant-growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM) as inoculants represents an important strategy to achieve qualitative and quantitative improvements in forage biomass, increasing the productivity and sustainability of livestock production. Several studies have reported the benefits of PGPM in grass pastures, with an emphasis on bacteria of the genera Azospirillum, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, rhizobia, and on arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF). The main grasses studied are Urocholoa (syn. Brachiaria), Megathyrsus (syn. Panicum), Paspalum, Cynodon, and Agropyron. Several microbial processes associated with improvements in root and shoot growth, nutrient content in biomass, and other benefits have been described. Promotion of plant growth has been associated with the synthesis of phytohormones and enzymes regulating several steps of plant development, nutrient mineralization by release of microbial molecules, biological nitrogen fixation, nutrient uptake facilitation by means of molecules such as exopolysaccharides, amongst others. Outstanding benefits of increased root growth, resulting in higher uptake of water and nutrients, either by phytohormones released by bacteria or by expanding root surface by AMF, have been reported. Biocontrol is another important property of PGPM, by a variety of mechanisms, including the synthesis of antimicrobial molecules, lytic enzymes, siderophores, and the release of specific inhibitory compounds such as hydrogen cyanide. Although improvements in forage management can enhance microbial performance, as shown for AMF, in general, inoculation with elite strains positively impacts growth parameters. Globally, the use of microbial inoculants has significantly increased in the past few years, but their application is still modest on grass pastures, which are generally degraded and would need special use of microbial inoculants for reclamation. Efforts towards increasing the use of PGPM in pastures can have deep positive environmental, economic, and social impacts worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Effects of Inoculation with Microorganisms on Plant Nutrition, Yield and Quality)
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Growth performances and nitrogen fixing efficiency of Faba bean (Vicia faba Minor.) genotypes in symbiosis with Rhizobia under combined salinity and hypoxia stresses
Authors: S. BENMOUSSA*, **, ***, I. NOUAIRI*, I. RAJHI*, S. REZGUI*, K. MANAI*, W. TAAMALI#, Z. ABBES##, K. ZRIBI, R. BROUQUISSE***, H. MHADHBI*, +
Affiliation: Laboratory of Legumes and Sustainable Agrosystems, Biotechnology Center of Borj-Cedria. B.P. 901, 2050 Hammam-Lif, Tunisia* Faculty of Science of Tunis. University of Tunis el-Manar, 2098 el-Manar II, Tunisia** INRA, Sophia Agrobiotech Institute (ISA), Nice Sophia Antipolis University, 1355 INRA/7254 CNRS, France*** Laboratory of Olive Biotechnology, Biotechnology Center of Borj-Cedria. B.P. 901, 2050 Hammam-Lif, Tunisia# Laboratory of Field Crops, National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia (INRAT), University of Carthage, 2080 Ariana, Tunisia##
Abstract: The present study was carried out in order to investigate the behavior of six Faba bean (Vicia faba Minor) genotypes (Saber 02, Locale, Baachar, Badii, Chourouk and Najeh) in response to salinity and flooding (hypoxia), either alone or combined, to identify tolerant genotypes and to select efficient Faba bean-Rhizobia symbiosis under salinity and/or hypoxia conditions. Faba bean genotypes were cultivated in three agricultural soils with either low (160 µs/cm) or moderate (1850 µs/cm) salt content and submitted or not to a 30-day long flooding period. Growth parameters and photosynthetic performance were analyzed at the end of the flooding period. At harvest time, Najeh genotype showed the highest dry mass production in both control and hypoxia conditions (7.90 and 6.75 g/plant, respectively), whereas Saber 02 showed the lowest one (3.75 and 2.25 g/plant, respectively). Differences between genotypes were less marked in salinity or combined salinity/flooding conditions. Principal component analysis on analyzed parameters revealed that Najeh genotype presents the best growth and the lowest photosynthetic perturbation and lipid peroxidation levels, whether under control or hypoxic conditions, whereas Saber 02 and Locale genotypes were less productive. Ninety bacteria strains were isolated from Vicia faba root nodules. Of these, 47 strains were identified as Rhizobia, 20 were able to nodulate the host plant (Faba bean, Najeh genotype), and 4 strains were considered efficient for plant growth and salt tolerance. Our results suggest that Faba bean salinity/hypoxia tolerant genotypes in symbiosis with these strains could be useful in the improvement of legume plant growth under saline and/or hypoxia conditions.

Title: Co-inoculations with plant growth-promoting bacteria in common bean to increase efficiency of NPK fertilization
Authors: Emariane Satin Mortinho1, Arshad Jalal1, Guilherme Carlos Fernandes1, Nathália Cristina Marchiori Pereira1, Poliana Aparecida Leonel Rosa1, Vagner do Nascimento2, Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Fil
Affiliation: 1 School of Engineering, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Ilha Solteira-SP, Street Monção, 226. Postal code: 15385-000, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. 2 Department of Agriculture, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Dracena, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract: Given the hypothesis that co-inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPBs) enhances beneficial effects of Rhizobium tropici with greater mineral nutrition, optimizing biological nitrogen fixation and reducing use of fertilizers in bean plant. The objective of this research was to evaluate synergistic effect of Rhizobium tropici associated with Azospirillum brasilense, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens and their combinations in order to increase efficiency of NPK fertilization to obtain high yields of irrigated winter beans in Cerrado region. The experiment was carried out in field over two years in a clayey-textured Dystrophic Red Latosol soil at research and extension farm of Sao Paulo State University- MS, Brazil. The experimental design was complete randomized blocks with four replications in a 3 x 7 factorial scheme. The treatments were consisted of three doses NPK fertilization (control- 0 kg ha-1, 50% of the recommended dose and recommended dose in two splits and 7 doses of inoculations or co-inoculation (control, Rhizobium tropici, R. tropici + Azospirillum brasilense, R. tropici + Bacillus subtilis, R. tropici + Pseudomonas fluorescens, R. tropici + A. brasilense + B. subtilis and R. tropici + A. brasilense + P. fluorescens). The PGPBs in co-inoculations increased hundred grains mass, grains per pod, grains per plant and grain yield under NPK doses. The grain yield of bean was increased with co-inoculation of R. tropici + A. brasilense + Pseudomonas fluorescens in without NPK treatments; R. tropici + P. fluorescens and R. tropici + A. brasilense + B. subtilis with 50% of NPK and R. tropici + B. subtilis in recommended NPK fertilization (100%).

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