Impact of microbial consortia on organic maize in a temperate climate varies with environment but not with fertilization

• DOI: 10.1016/j.eja.2023.126743
• Publication Date: 2023-01-17T04:19:16Z
• Authors: Jonas Hett; Thomas F. Döring; Annamaria Bevivino; Daniel Neuhoff
• Keywords: Azotobacter chroococcum; Pseudomonas fluorescens

Inoculating crops with specifically designed microbial consortia (MC) is increasingly discussed as an instrument for sustainably promoting arable crop growth. While some promising results were achieved in laboratory, climate chamber, and greenhouse experiments, field applications of inoculants under temperate conditions have been much less investigated. Here, we assess the effect three novel (MC_B, MC_C, MC_C_AMF) one commercial (Micosat F) MC a factorial combination fertilization levels (unfertilized, 110 kg nitrogen ha-1, 200 ha-1) on organic maize (Zea mays L.) productivity. Split-plot experiments performed two consecutive years (2020 2021) at different locations Rhineland, Germany, resulting trial environments. The consisted well-studied single strains Azotobacter, Bacillus, Burkholderia, Pseudomonas, Rahnella, Glomus. At stem elongation 2020, growth (+17%), shoot (+34%), phosphorus uptake (+25%) significantly enhanced upon inoculation possibly due to atmospheric N2-fixation A. chroococcum LS132 solubilization P. fluorescens DR54. However, MC_C failed impact productivity 2021. This difference between was likely distinct weather pre-crop effects. Significant increases grain yield observed only MC_C_AMF (+10%) Interactions not observed. Therefore, assumption that are more effective low-input systems cannot be confirmed by this study. nutrition common consistent than both years. As revealed varying performance across environments, achieving significant, agronomically relevant, reproducible benefits from still remains considerable challenge field-grown climate.