Multiple factors influence rice yield. Developing management practices that increase crop yield and an efficient use of resources are challenging to modern agriculture. Consequently, the aim of this study was to evaluate biological nitrogen fixation and bacterial phosphorous solubilization (biofertilization) practices with the selection of the sowing date. Three sowing dates (May, July and August) were evaluated when interacting with two mineral nutrition treatments using a randomized complete block design in a split-plot arrangement. Leaf carbon balance, leaf area index, interception and radiation use efficiency, harvest index, dry matter accumulation, nutritional status, and yield were quantified. Results showed that the maximum yield was obtained in the sowing date of August. Additionally, yield increased by 18.92% with the biofertilization treatment, reaching 35.18% of profitability compared to the local production practice. High yields were related to a higher carbon balance during flowering, which was 11.56% and 54.04% higher in August than in July and May, respectively, due to a lower night temperature. In addition, a high efficient use of radiation, which in August was 17.56% and 41.23% higher than in July and May, respectively, contributed to obtain higher yields and this behavior is related to the selection of the sowing date. Likewise, a rapid development of the leaf area index and an optimum foliar nitrogen concentration (>3%) were observed. This allowed for greater efficient use of radiation and is attributed to the activity of nitrogen-fixing and phosphate solubilizing bacteria that also act as plant growth promoters.
The biotechnological manipulation of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) is gaining prominence to improve the poor phosphorus (P) availability in the soil and maintain crop yields. In this study, we investigated how Rhizobium sp. B02 inoculation influences maize crop development and whether its use reduces phosphate fertilizer rates. We conducted growth promotion assays using P fertilizer doses in two maize genotypes under greenhouse conditions. Morphometric, physiological, and productivity parameters were assessed in three phenological stages: tillering (V5), tassel (VT), and maturity (R6). Maize response was significantly influenced by both inoculation and plant genotype, showing that the plant-promoting effect of inoculation is substantially more prominent in the white endosperm than in the yellow endosperm maize genotype. The development of maize in all phenological stages was promoted by inoculation with Rhizobium sp. B02. The most significant influence of inoculation was observed on shoot dry weight, relative chlorophyll content, shoot P concentration, leaf area, photosynthetic rate, 1,000-grain weight, and grain yield. A 17% gain in grain yield, representing 20 g plant−1, was obtained by inoculation with 50% diammonium phosphate (DAP) compared with the control treatment at the same dose. The complete fertilization control was phenocopied by the white endosperm inoculated at 50% DAP in all productivity parameters. Therefore, half of the P fertilization in white endosperm was replaced by inoculation with Rhizobium sp. B02. Herein, we report the potential of a Rhizobium strain in a non-legume crop to improve P management.
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