Wheat genotypes response to inoculation of diazotrophic bacteria in field conditions

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate, in field conditions, the effect and the economic viability of inoculation of new homologous strains endophytic diazotrophic bacteria, under different nitrogen doses on two wheat genotypes. Three strains of diazotrophic bacteria (IAC-AT-8, Azospirillum brasilense; IAC-HT-11, Achromobacter insolitus; IAC-HT-12, Zoogloea ramigera), two wheat genotypes (ITD-19 and IAC-370), and three levels of nitrogen fertilizer as urea (0, 60 e 120 kg ha^-1) were tested. Shoot dry matter and total shoot nitrogen were evaluated, at four leaves and at tillering stages. Nitrogen concentration in the grain, 1,000 grains weight and yield were evaluated at harvest. Plants with inoculation presented increases in dry matter, N accumulation and grain yield, especially in combination with N fertilizer, bringing profit to the farmer. However, the genotype IAC-370 showed the highest increase in grain yield with the strain IAC-HT-12 in the absence of added N, exceeding the uninoculated control by 45%. Responses to inoculation varied according to location, suggesting a complex interaction of plant, bacteria and the environment.