Applying Rhizobacteria on Maize Cultivation in Northern Benin: Effect on Growth and Yield

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of five plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) (Bacillus panthothenicus; Pseudomonas Cichorii; Pseudomonas Putida; Pseudomonas syringae and Serratia marcescens) on the growth and yield of maize on a ferruginous soil under field condition. Maize seeds were inoculated with 10 ml of bacterial suspension. Study was conducted in a completely randomized design with fifteen treatments and three replicates. A half-dose of recommended (13, 17, 17 kg•ha −1) NPK was applied 15 days after emergence. The results show that the Serratia marcescens + 50% NPK treatment yielded the best results for height, fresh underground biomass, dry aboveground biomass, dry underground biomass, and grain yield with respective increases of 41.09%, 217.5%, 213.34%, 93.82%, and 39.05% compared to the control. Maximum stem diameter (increases of 49.65%) was recorded in the plants treated with 100% NPK (full dose NPK) while the highest leaf area (466.36 ± 9.57 cm 2), obtained on plant treated with Pseudomonas putida + 50% NPK was 32.08% greater than in the non-inoculated control. Our results suggest the use of these rhizobacteria as biological fertilizers for enhancing the growth and maize seed yield in ferruginous soil in the North of Benin.

Inoculation of Pseudomonas putida in Farmer Environment to Improve Growth and Yield: Maize (Zea mays L.) Trial in Sothern, Central and Northern (Benin)

“…On the central and northern sites, the best maize plant crown diameters were obtained with P. putida + ½ dose of NPK and Urea, which exceeded farming practice by 18.08%. These results are close to the 25.24% obtained by [21] on maize plants treated with P. putida + ½ dose of NPK and Urea on ferruginous soil in Northern Benin. Similar results (26.12% increase) on maize plant height were reported by [33] with the inoculation of the rhizobacteria (Cn1) among the six (06) isolated from rhizospheric soils of two plants Convolvulus arvensis and Polygonum plebeium in Parkistan.…”

“…In Northern Benin (Ouénou), the best height of maize plants was obtained with the full dose of NPK and Urea (T3) followed by P. putida + ½ dose of NPK and Urea (T2) with respective increases of 25.05% and 23.15% compared to the Farmers' Practice (T1). These results are close to the 35, 24% recorded by [21] on maize plants treated with P. putida + ½ dose of NPK and Urea on ferruginous soil in Northern Benin. This recorded difference was related to the fertility gradients of the environments where the trials were carried out.…”

“…In order to increase maize productivity in Benin, several researchers have been working in greenhouses and research stations on PGPR isolated from the maize rhizosphere in Benin. Among these PGPR, P. putida is one of the best strains that have shown a significant improvement in maize productivity [18,19,20,21]. It is noted from work conducted in research stations that the innoculation of maize seeds with P. putida + ½ dose of NPK and Urea allows average maize yields equal to the yields obtained with the full dose of NPK and Urea [20,21].…”

“…Among these PGPR, P. putida is one of the best strains that have shown a significant improvement in maize productivity [18,19,20,21]. It is noted from work conducted in research stations that the innoculation of maize seeds with P. putida + ½ dose of NPK and Urea allows average maize yields equal to the yields obtained with the full dose of NPK and Urea [20,21]. In view of the best results obtained in controlled environments on the different soil types in Benin, it was necessary to evaluate the ability of P. putida to improve the productivity of maize in farmer environments in the Agricultural Development Poles (ADPs) of Benin.…”

Improved Maize Growth in Condition Controlled by PGPR Inoculation on Ferruginous Soil in Central Benin

“…The role of PGPRs in resolving several constraints such as soil degradation, water stress, and declining soil fertility that limit agricultural production has been widely proven [15]. The use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPR) can be a promising alternative that can reduce the application of chemicals and improve crop yields and plant health [16] [17] [18]. For example, [19] has shown that PGPRs can increase nutrient bioavailability in the rhizosphere.…”