Formulation of Biostimulants Based on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi for Maize Growth and Yield

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the fertilizing potential of two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomeraceae and Acaulosporaceae) native to the rhizosphere soils of Benin in a controlled environment (under greenhouse) and in a field environment. For this purpose, corn seeds were coated with Glomeraceae and Acaulosporaceae strains and then deposited in 5 cm deep holes. Different doses of mineral fertilizer were then applied according to the treatments.The experimental design was a split plot of ten treatments with three replicates in both conditions. Sowing was done following two seeds per pot in the greenhouse and in the field and lasted 30 and 80 days respectively. The data collected were related to growth, yield and mycorrhizal infection of the roots. The results in controlled environment (under greenhouse), show that the plants treated with Acaulosporaceae+25%NPK+Urea significantly improve the height, the diameter at the collar, and the dry subterranean biomass with respective increases of 63.74%, 61.53%, 47.79% except for the leaf area and the dry aerial biomass which were improved by Glomeraceae+25%NPK+Urea with respective increases of 42.66% and 57.2% compared to the control. The results in the field showed that the best maize yields in grain, in dry aerial biomass and dry subterranean biomass were obtained significantly with the Glomeraceae strain 25%NPK+Urea with respective increases of 65.28%, 51.26%, 136.36% compared to the control plants. Also, high values were recorded for the frequency and intensity of mycorrhization with the Glomeraceae strain under greenhouse and field conditions. Mycorrhizal inoculation of maize plants showed a beneficial effect in the field with the Glomeraceae strain in combination with 25% NPK+Urea while the Acaulosporaceae strain with 25% NPK+Urea was more expressed in the greenhouse. These endogenous strains can be used as biostimulants to increase maize productivity while considerably reducing mineral inputs in Benin.

Promoting sustainable agriculture by exploiting plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to improve maize and cowpea crops

“…These biofertilizers can also be called microbial biostimulants. Biofertilizers are commonly formulated from microorganisms beneficial to plant growth, and grouped into three main categories: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) ( Agbodjato et al, 2022 ; Jeffries et al, 2003 ), plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) ( Agbodjato et al, 2021 ; Podile, Kishore & Gnanamanickam, 2006 ) and nitrogen-fixing rhizobia ( Franche, Lindström & Elmerich, 2009 ). Biofertilizers containing PGPR have the potential to enhance plant growth and yields by enriching the soil with nutrients and improving its quality ( de Andrade et al, 2023 ).…”

“…Faced with this observation and to identify the axes to be developed to allow these ecosystems to render the expected services and satisfy the needs of local populations, numerous research works have been undertaken to optimize plant growth in stressed environments and to control specific soil components that could contribute to the reclamation of these degraded ecosystems ( Duponnois et al, 2013 ). In this context, the use of beneficial microorganisms is gaining attention from researchers around the world to promote sustainable agriculture ( Agbodjato et al, 2022 ; Yadav & Sarkar, 2019 ). Among these beneficial microscopic organisms are PGPRs that colonize plant roots.…”

The potential of biostimulants on soil microbial community: a review

“…Despite many products in the market to produce biostimulants, there is less experience in research characterization required for the production of biostimulants (Fadiji et al, 2022a). Likewise, biostimulant reactions can be different after being applied on farmland for crop plant growth as a result of climate change (high temperature and precipitation) (Agbodjato et al, 2022). Applying biostimulants on farmlands requires adequate knowledge of the categories of the biostimulants to use.…”

Unlocking the plant growth-promoting potential of yeast spp.: exploring species from the Moroccan extremophilic environment for enhanced plant growth and sustainable farming

“…While widespread studies have propagated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and PGPR in various agricultural contexts, as exemplified by studies such as those by Uzoh and Babalola ( 2018 ), Igiehon and Babalola ( 2021 ), Agbodjato et al ( 2022 ), Xin et al ( 2022 ), and Raklami et al ( 2023 ), the potential to use yeasts as PGP agents remain underexploited. Hence, using yeasts, especially the non- Saccharomyces species, represents a poorly explored field with great potential.…”