Maize growth in response to Azospirillum brasilense and nitrogen

Abstract

Rhizobacteria Azospirillum brasilense has been used for agricultural purposes as a biological source with potential to reduce economic and environmental costs derived from the intensive use of industrial nitrogen fertilizers. The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth of maize variety 'AL Bandeirante' considering the application or not of Azospirillum brasilense inoculant in seeds and/or leaves in soil with or without nitrogen addition at sowing. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, in a completely randomized design in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial scheme, with 6 replications. The variables evaluated were plant height, basal stem diameter, accumulated nitrogen accumulated in the shoot and dry mass of leaf, stem, shoot, root and total. Nitrogen fertilization at sowing contributed to increase maize growth. Inoculation of Azospirillum brasilense in seeds and/or leaves showed similar response to nitrogen fertilizer for plant growth. The application method of rhizobacteria did not produce differentiated effect on the total mass and/or in nitrogen accumulated in the shoots of maize.