Synergism of
                    Bacillus subtilis
                    and
                    Azospirillum brasilense
                    for enhanced N‐use efficiency and maize growth: Evidence from
                    
                      15
                      N
                    
                    isotopic and physiological responses

Fernando Shintate Galindo; Cassio Carlette Thiengo; Paulo Humberto Pagliari; João Victor Silva Bernardes; Gustavo Duprat dos Santos; Pedro Augusto Fedato Longato; Lucila de Sousa Vilela; Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho; José Lavres

doi:10.1111/ppl.70205

journal article Mar 01, 2025

Synergism of Bacillus subtilis and Azospirillum brasilense for enhanced N‐use efficiency and maize growth: Evidence from 15 N isotopic and physiological responses

Fernando Shintate Galindo

Cassio Carlette Thiengo

Paulo Humberto Pagliari João Victor Silva Bernardes Gustavo Duprat dos Santos Pedro Augusto Fedato Longato Lucila de Sousa Vilela Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho

José Lavres

Physiologia Plantarum Vol. 177 No. 2 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1111/ppl.70205

Abstract

Abstract

We explored the impact of inoculating maize (
Zea mays
L.) seeds with plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR ‐
Bacillus subtilis
and
Azospirillum brasilense
), either individually or in combination, under different nitrogen input levels – control, low, average and high N levels (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 mg L
‐1
equivalent to between 0 and 240 kg N ha
‐1
) in a greenhouse setting. Leaf‐ and plant‐level biometrics, nutritional, biochemical, and physiological evaluations were supplemented by isotopic methods (
15
N isotope dilution and natural abundance ‐ δ
15
N‰) along with root scanning to investigate N acquisition and distribution. Dual inoculation not only enhanced the recovery of applied N but also bolstered nitrogenase activity, leading to increased biological N fixation (BNF) even at an average level of N (120 kg N ha
‐1
). In instances where dual inoculated plants were grown at low (60 kg N ha
‐1
) and average N levels, a cascade effect was observed, such as encompassing root growth stimulation, enhanced fertilizer and soil exploitation, and increased biomass production. Increasing N application to 240 kg N ha
‐1
reduced plant biomass by 19–47% compared to 120 kg N ha
‐1
, depending on inoculation strategy. This led to downregulation of nitrogenase activity, diminished PGPR efficiency, and a significant decline in BNF. This study shows how a change in the rhizosphere microbial population can influence a myriad of responses inside the plants. Our research provides valuable insights for studies using
15
N isotopic and dual inoculation techniques, offering strong potential for practical implementation.

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Details

Published: Mar 01, 2025
Vol/Issue: 177(2)
License: View

Authors

F

Fernando Shintate Galindo

São Paulo State University, College of Agricultural and Technological Sciences Department of Crop Production Dracena Brazil

C

Cassio Carlette Thiengo

University of São Paulo Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture Piracicaba Brazil

P

Paulo Humberto Pagliari

University of Minnesota, Southwest Research and Outreach Center Department of Soil, Water, and Climate Lamberton MN US

J

João Victor Silva Bernardes

University of São Paulo Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture Piracicaba Brazil

G

Gustavo Duprat dos Santos

University of São Paulo Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture Piracicaba Brazil

P

Pedro Augusto Fedato Longato

University of São Paulo Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture Piracicaba Brazil

L

Lucila de Sousa Vilela

São Paulo State University, College of Agricultural and Technological Sciences Department of Crop Production Dracena Brazil

M

Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho

São Paulo State University Department of Plant Health, Rural Engineering, and Soils Ilha Solteira Brazil

J

José Lavres

University of São Paulo Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture Piracicaba Brazil

Funding

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo Award: 2020/06354‐2

Cite This Article

Fernando Shintate Galindo, Cassio Carlette Thiengo, Paulo Humberto Pagliari, et al. (2025). Synergism of Bacillus subtilis and Azospirillum brasilense for enhanced N‐use efficiency and maize growth: Evidence from 15 N isotopic and physiological responses. Physiologia Plantarum, 177(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.70205

Synergism of Bacillus subtilis and Azospirillum brasilense for enhanced N‐use efficiency and maize growth: Evidence from 15 N isotopic and physiological responses

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