Diazotrophic bacteria and substrates in the growth and nitrogen accumulation of sugarcane seedlings

Abstract

Little is known about the interaction between the inoculation of diazotrophic bacteria, the variety, and the substrate used in inoculated sugarcane seedling production. Bearing this in mind, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diazotrophic bacteria inoculation, four sugarcane varieties and four different substrates on the growth and nitrogen accumulation of sugarcane seedlings. Parameters related to sprouting, height, and root growth, as well as nitrogen accumulation, were evaluated. The results indicate that inoculating sugarcane seedlings belonging to the following varieties: RB867515, RB92579, RB966928 and RB975932 with bacteria may increase sprouting speed index, height, root length, fresh and dry matter weight, as well as nitrogen accumulation, which has resulted in a more uniform stem diameter. However, the responses to inoculation differ from variety to variety and are also dependent on the substrate used with better results observed in the commercial substrate and the substrate mixtures containing a higher proportion of organic compost. Understanding the interaction between the variety and the substrate with the bacterial inoculation is essential to the success of the production of inoculated sugarcane seedlings.

Agronomic parameters of sugarcane under planting densities in different cultivation cycles

“…All plots received basal planting fertilizer at the row, applying doses equivalent to 90 kg N ha -1 , 150 kg P ha -1 and 120 K ha -1 via ammonium sulfate, single superphosphate and potassium chloride, respectively, based on the recommendation for the crop (Ribeiro et al, 1999). The variety of sugarcane used was the RB867515, middle to late cycle, fast growth, high size, erect growth habit, high stalk density and easy unburned sugarcane straw, which presents good results in Brazil (Peloia et al, 2019;Matoso et al, 2021).…”