Agronomic performance of second crop maize grown under different methods of inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense1

Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic performance of a second crop maize grown under different methods of inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with 6 treatments and four replications. The treatments used were: no inoculation (T1); inoculation with A. brasilense via seed (T2); inoculation with A. brasilense via sowing furrow (T3); inoculation with A. brasilense via leaf (T4); two inoculations with A. brasilense via leaf (T5); and combination of inoculations via seed, sowing furrow, and leaf (T6). Physiological, morphological, production, and yield components of the second crop maize were evaluated. The data were subjected to analysis of variance at 0.05 probability level and when significant, the means were subjected to the Scott-Knott test at 0.05 probability level, using the R-bio statistical program. Inoculation via seed results in higher nitrate reductase enzyme activity. The inoculation with A. brasilense does not result in gains in grain yield for second crop maize; however, it improves the maize quality by increasing its gross protein contents.

Keywords

• diazotrophic bacteria
• biological nitrogen fixation
• grain yield