Agronomic Efficiency of Co-Inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas Fluorescens in Corn and Soybean Under Reduced Phosphate Fertilization
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17921/1415-6938.2026v30n1p96-114Abstract
The low availability of phosphorus (P) in tropical soils, resulting from fixation by iron and aluminum oxides, constitutes a major limiting factor for soybean and corn productivity. Plant growth-promoting bacteria represent a promising strategy to enhance nutrient use efficiency in cropping systems. This study evaluated the agronomic efficiency of co-inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas fluorescens under a 25% reduction in phosphate fertilization for soybean and corn crops. Field experiments were conducted during the 2019/2020 growing season at four locations in Southern Brazil, using a randomized complete block design. Three treatments without inoculation were applied with 0%, 75%, and 100% of the recommended P₂O₅ dose (P0-NI, P75-NI, and P100-NI, respectively), one with inoculation of the commercial product BiomaPhos® and 75% P₂O₅ (P75-BiomaPhos), and one with co-inoculation of A. brasilense and P. fluorescens and 75% P₂O₅ (P75-Biofree). P75-Biofree maintained grain yields for both soybean (4,250 kg ha⁻¹) and corn (14,013 kg ha⁻¹) at levels statistically equivalent to the full phosphate fertilization treatment (P100-NI), while exceeding the absolute control (P0-NI) by 10.4% and 11.5%, respectively. The yield gains were primarily attributed to improved grain filling in soybean and increased kernel number per ear in corn, without significantly altering tissue phosphorus concentrations. This pattern indicates enhanced internal phosphorus use efficiency mediated by bacterial inoculation. We conclude that co-inoculation with A. brasilense and P. fluorescens represents an effective agricultural technology, enabling a 25% reduction in mineral phosphate fertilizer application without compromising grain yield, thereby promoting more sustainable and economically viable agricultural systems.
Keywords: Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria. Phosphorus Use Efficiency. Sustainable Intensification. Nutrient Management. Tropical Soils.
Resumo
A baixa disponibilidade de fósforo (P) em solos tropicais, devido à sua fixação por óxidos de ferro e alumínio, limita a produtividade de soja e milho. Bactérias promotoras de crescimento de plantas representam uma estratégia para aumentar a eficiência do uso de nutrientes. Este estudo avaliou a eficiência agronômica da co-inoculação com Azospirillum brasilense e Pseudomonas fluorescens sob redução de 25% na adubação fosfatada para as culturas de soja e milho. Experimentos de campo foram conduzidos na safra 2019/2020 em quatro locais no Sul do Brasil, em delineamento de blocos casualizados. Foram aplicados três tratamentos sem inoculação com 0%, 75% e 100% da dose recomendada de P₂O₅ (P0-NI, P75-NI e P100-NI, respectivamente), um com inoculação do produto comercial BiomaPhos® e 75% de P₂O₅ (P75-BiomaPhos), e um com co-inoculação de A. brasilense e P. fluorescens e 75% de P₂O₅ (P75-Biofree). P75-Biofree manteve a produtividade de grãos de soja (4.250 kg ha⁻¹) e milho (14.013 kg ha⁻¹) estatisticamente iguais ao tratamento com 100% de P (P100-NI), superando a testemunha absoluta (P0-NI) em 10,4% e 11,5%, respectivamente. Os ganhos de produtividade foram atribuídos principalmente ao enchimento de grãos na soja e ao maior número de grãos por espiga no milho, sem alterar significativamente as concentrações de P nos tecidos, indicando maior eficiência interna de uso de P. Conclui-se que a co-inoculação com A. brasilense e P. fluorescens é uma tecnologia eficaz, permitindo uma redução de 25% no fertilizante fosfatado mineral sem comprometer o rendimento, promovendo assim um sistema agrícola mais sustentável e econômico.
Palavras-chave: Bactérias Promotoras de Crescimento de Plantas. Eficiência no Uso de Fósforo. Intensificação Sustentável. Manejo de Nutrientes. Solos Tropicais.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Anna Flávia Neri de Almeida, Edenilson Meyer, Luís Fernando Maranho Watanabe, Admir José Giachini
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