Rhizobacteria inoculation and its effect on the productive parameters of sorghum

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the Bacillus megaterium and Pseudomonas japonica rhizobacteria on the productive parameters of sorghum.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The experiment was carried out in Padilla, Tamaulipas, where the effect of inoculating a sorghum crop with the Bacillus megaterium KN13 and Pseudomonas japonica KC14 strains on its productive parameters was evaluated. Both strains were used in two concentrations (10⁶ and 10⁷ CFU). A randomized block design was applied, consisting of five treatments (two strains × two concentrations, plus a control), with six and nine replications.

Results: The B. megaterium and P. japonica strains can fix nitrogen and produce siderophores. Inoculating these strains into the sorghum crop increases grain yield, plant height, panicle length, plant stem diameter, and aerial dry weight. Better results are recorded when the strains have a 10⁷ CFU concentration.

Study Limitations/Implications: Each type of soil and crop has various microbiomes.

Findings/Conclusions: The use of an adequate concentration of rhizobacteria improves sorghum production; therefore, it is a sustainable alternative, both for the nutrition of the crop and the reduction of the use of synthetic fertilizers.