Combating iron and zinc malnutrition through mineral biofortification in maize through plant growth promoting Bacillus and Paenibacillus species

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1094551
• Publication Date: 2023-02-01T08:33:27Z
• Authors: Maqshoof Ahmad; Azhar Hussain; Abubakar Dar; Muhammad Luqman; Allah Ditta; Zafar Iqbal; Hafiz Tanvir Ahmad; Farheen Nazli; Walid Soufan; Khalid Almutairi; Ayman El Sabagh
• Keywords: Biofortification; Paenibacillus

The burgeoning population of the world is causing food insecurity not only by less availability but also malnutrition essential nutrients and vitamins. Malnutrition mostly linked with having micronutrients lower than optimal concentration that specific commodity becoming an emerging challenge over globe. Microbial biofortification in agriculture ensures nutritional security through microbial nitrogen fixation, improved phosphate zinc solubilization, which increase uptake these nutrients. present study evaluates novel plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to biofortify maize gain. For this purpose, a pot two field experiments for were conducted. PGPRs applied alone combination better understanding potential strains. At physiological maturity, growth parameters, at harvest, yield, population, status determined. Results revealed consortium (ZM27+ZM63+S10) has caused maximum under studies like height (31%), shoot fresh weight (28%), dry (27%), root (33%) weights (29%), count (21%) rhizosphere. mineral analysis trial ZM27+ZM63+S10 28, 16, 20, 11 11% increases P, N, K, Fe, Zn contents maize, respectively, as compared un-inoculated treatment studies. A similar trend results was observed both trials biological properties grains. grain yield 1000-grain found significantly higher 17 12%, application control. So, it can be concluded from significant obtained PGPR inoculants play role enhancing growth, quality maize. However, extensive evaluation may help formulation biofertilizer sustainable production cope security.