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Cited by 269Plant-Microbe Interactions and ImmunityAgriculture, Plant Science, Crop ManagementLegume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis

Accessing inoculation methods of maize and wheat with Azospirillum brasilense

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Fukami, Josiane, Nogueira, Marco Antonio, Araujo, Ricardo Silva, Hungria, Mariangela·2016·AMB Express
DOI 10.1186/s13568-015-0171-yPMC PMC4710622
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Abstract

The utilization of inoculants containing Azospirillum is becoming more popular due to increasing reports of expressive gains in grain yields. However, incompatibility with pesticides used in seed treatments represents a main limitation for a successful inoculation. Therefore, in this study we searched for alternatives methods for seed inoculation of maize and wheat, aiming to avoid the direct contact of bacteria with pesticides. Different doses of inoculants containing Azospirillum brasilense were employed to perform inoculation in-furrow, via soil spray at sowing and via leaf spray after seedlings had emerged, in comparison to seed inoculation. Experiments were conducted first under greenhouse controlled conditions and then confirmed in the field at different locations in Brazil. In the greenhouse, most parameters measured responded positively to the largest inoculant dose used in foliar sprays, but benefits could also be observed from both in-furrow and soil spray inoculation. However, our results present evidence that field inoculation with plant-growth promoting bacteria must consider inoculant doses, and point to the need of fine adjustments to avoid crossing the threshold of growth stimulation and inhibition. All inoculation techniques increased the abundance of diazotrophic bacteria in plant tissues, and foliar spray improved colonization of leaves, while soil inoculations favored root and rhizosphere colonization. In field experiments, inoculation with A. brasilense allowed for a 25 % reduction in the need for N fertilizers. Our results have identified alternative methods of inoculation that were as effective as the standard seed inoculation that may represent an important strategy to avoid the incompatibility between inoculant bacteria and pesticides employed for seed treatment.

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  • Root growth phytostimulation by Azospirillum includes morphological changes: a decrease in the elongation of the main root; an increase in the lateral and adventitious roots; an increase in the number of root hairs; and a significant increase in the root surface and volume, probably related to the improvement in water and nutrient acquisition.

    “Root growth phytostimulation by Azospirillum includes a number of morphological changes: a decrease in the elongation of the main root; an increase in the lateral and adventitious roots; an increase in the number of root hairs; and a significant increase in the root surface and volume, probably related to the improvement in water and nutrient acquisition [39].”

    From Azospirillum brasilense affects survival, growth and nutrient status of micropropagated sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) plantlets during ex vitro conditions (2025) · cites this paper as [39]

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  • Fukami et al. [39] reported that 1 × 10 5 and 1.74 × 10 4 CFU/ml of A. brasilense promoted the root growth of maize and wheat seeds under greenhouse conditions.

    “Fukami et al. [39] reported that 1 × 10 5 and 1.74 × 10 4 CFU/ml of A. brasilense promoted the root growth of maize and wheat seeds under greenhouse conditions.”

    From Azospirillum brasilense affects survival, growth and nutrient status of micropropagated sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) plantlets during ex vitro conditions (2025) · cites this paper as [39]

    The Methods section (no page available) gives 1 × 10⁵ cells per seed or plant for maize and 1.74 × 10⁴ cells per seed or plant for wheat—not CFU/ml. The greenhouse Results report improved maize root volume with 2.5 doses of seed inoculant and increased wheat root dry weight with one dose applied by foliar spray. Thus the paper supports greenhouse root-growth effects, but not the claim that the stated CFU/ml concentrations promoted root growth from inoculated seeds in both crops. (LLM, conf=0.90)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • The effects of A. brasilense on development have been reported in maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) [38], and maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) [39].

    “The effects of A. brasilense on development have been reported in maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) [38], and maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) [39].”

    From Azospirillum brasilense affects survival, growth and nutrient status of micropropagated sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) plantlets during ex vitro conditions (2025) · cites this paper as [39]

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Fukami, J., Nogueira, M. A., Araujo, R. S., & Hungria, M.
Affiliations
Universidade Estadual de Londrina (BR)
Venue
AMB Express
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2016-01-13
Volume
6
Issue
1
Pages
3-3
ISSN
2191-0855 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/s13568-015-0171-y
PMC
PMC4710622
OpenAlex
W2295548959
Cited by
269
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 38 · 2022: 34 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 41 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 1
FWCI
22.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • AMB Express (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Americanae (AECID Library) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
Embrapa (02.13.08.003.00.00)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Agriculture, Plant Science, Crop Management
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
Keywords
Azospirillum brasilense, plant growth-promoting bacteria, seed inoculation, maize, wheat, seed treatment, inoculant dose, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, rhizosphere colonization, nitrogen fertilizer reduction, grain yield

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