Abstract

DAVARAN-HAGH, Elnaz et al. Azospirillum lipoferum and nitrogen fertilization effect on chlorophyll content, nutrients uptake and biometric properties of Zea mays L.. Agrociencia [online]. 2015, vol.49, n.8, pp.889-897. ISSN 2521-9766.

Integrated nutrient management is a major agronomic practice which brings together all methods to support plants nutritional requirement. However, the interaction of these methods together is very complex and needs to be studied in different climatic conditions. So, the effect of nitrogen fertilizer and Azospirillum lipoferum inoculation on maize (Zea mays L.) growth, yield and nutrients uptake was determined in this study. The hypothesis was that the bacterial inoculation decreases the need for N fertilizer application without reducing plant yield. Therefore, we carried out a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Nitrogen at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % concentrations of the recommended dose, i.e. 150 kg N ha^-1 (based on the soil sample analysis) were applied with or without A. lipoferum inoculation. There was a significant effect of N and A. lipoferum inoculation on most of the variables. In most cases, there was no significant difference between the two highest doses, i.e. 75 % and 100 % of N. Most variables showed their highest value in the interaction of A. lipoferumX100 % N. But, the value of most variables was the same as in uninoculatedX100 % N or inoculatedX50 % N. Azospirillum lipoferum inoculation could be an alternative to high N fertilizer rates, increasing soil fertility and maize yield in sustainable farming. In conclusion, 75 % of the recommended N application rate along with A. lipoferum inoculation has the best effect on the variables increasing grain yield by 136.5 %.

Keywords : Biofertilizer; iron; nitrogen; phosphorus; zinc.

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