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A combination of humic substances and Herbaspirillum seropedicae inoculation enhances the growth of maize (Zea mays L.)

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Abstract

Background

Endophytic diazotrophic bacteria colonize several non-leguminous plants and promote plant growth. Different mechanisms are involved in bacteria-induced plant growth promotion, including biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), mineral solubilization, production of phytohormones, and pathogen biocontrol. Herbaspirillum seropedicae is a broad-host-range endophyte that colonizes sugarcane, rice, wheat, sorghum, and maize, and has been used as a biofertilizer. Contrasting results between greenhouse and field experiments have prompted efforts to improve the consistency of the plant response to microbial stimulation.

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the presence of humic substances on inoculation of maize (Zea mays L.) with H. seropedicae.

Methods

Two experiments were conducted: one in the greenhouse using sand and nutrient solution and the other a field trial in soil with low natural fertility and to which was applied N in the form of urea (50 kg ha−1). In the greenhouse, pre-emerging seeds were inoculated with a solution of H. seropedicae (109 cells mL−1) in the presence of humic substances isolated from vermicompost (10, 20, or 30 mg C L−1); in the field trial, bacteria combined with humate were added as a foliar spray (450 L ha−1).

Results

At early stages (7 and 45 days old) in the greenhouse, the treatment activated plant metabolism including enhancement of plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity, alteration of sugar and N metabolism, and greater net photosynthesis. The number of viable bacterial cells was higher in root tissues when inoculation was in the presence of soluble humic substances. Foliar application of endophytic diazotrophic bacteria and humic substances increased maize grain production 65 % under field conditions. These results show a promising use of humic substances to improve the benefit of endophytic diazotrophic inoculation.

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Acknowledgements

This work was part of D.B.M thesis and was supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Fundação de Amparo À Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) and International Foundation of Science (IFS). Nudiba-UENF is a member of the National Institute of Science and Technology for Nitrogen Fixation (INCT Fixação Biológica de Nitrogênio). We also grateful to CAPES/MES PEC-PG for the D.B.M doctoral fellowship at Nudiba.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Núcleo de Desenvolvimento de Insumos Biológicos para a Agricultura (NUDIBA), Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, 28013-602, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Luciano Pasqualoto Canellas, Dariellys Martínez Balmori, Natália Oliveira Aguiar, Arnoldo R. Façanha & Fábio Lopes Olivares

  2. Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, km7 BR 467, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Leonardo Oliveira Médici

  3. Laboratório de Melhoramento Genético Vegetal, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes, 28013-602, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Eliemar Campostrini

  4. Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura, Rua Embrapa, s/nº., CEP 44380-000, Cruz das Almas, BA, Brasil

    Raul C. C. Rosa

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  1. Luciano Pasqualoto Canellas
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  2. Dariellys Martínez Balmori
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  3. Leonardo Oliveira Médici
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  4. Natália Oliveira Aguiar
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  7. Arnoldo R. Façanha
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  8. Fábio Lopes Olivares
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Correspondence to Fábio Lopes Olivares.

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Canellas, L.P., Balmori, D.M., Médici, L.O. et al. A combination of humic substances and Herbaspirillum seropedicae inoculation enhances the growth of maize (Zea mays L.). Plant Soil 366, 119–132 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1382-5

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