Upland rice grain yield and plant improvement by single and combined beneficial microorganisms

Abstract

In order to meet the increasing demand of the growing population, rice production must increase through the use of sustainable and environmentally friendly methods. The use of beneficial microorganisms is an important strategy to improve rice production in a sustainable way. The study was carried out to determine the effect of single and combined beneficial microorganism on the development of upland rice. The experiment was performed in greenhouse and arranged in a completely randomized design with 28 treatments and 4 replications. Treatments consisted of rice seeds treated with single and combined multifunctional microorganisms (1 (Serratia marcescens), 2 (Bacillus toyonensis), 3 (Phanerochaete australis), 4 (Trichoderma koningiopsis), 5 (Azospirillum brasilense), 6 (Azospirillum sp.), 7 (Bacillus sp), 8 to 28 (combination of these microorganisms) and 29 (control)). Inoculation of upland rice with sole and combined microorganism on upland rice increased the roots and shoots development, yield components and grain yield of upland rice. The combinations of Bacillus sp. (BRM 63573) and A. brasilense (AbV5), Azospirillum sp. (BRM 63574) + B. toyonensis (BRM 32110) and Phanerochaete australiani (BRM 62389) + Serratia marcenscens (BRM 32114) led to greatest values in roots and shoots development, number of panicles, number of grains per pot, 1000 grains weight and grain yield of upland rice plants. Besides, these microorganisms’ combinations allow great accumulating of nutrients in roots, shoots and grains of upland rice plants. The use of beneficial microorganisms can be adopted for increasing upland rice production.