Nitrogen efficiency and agronomic responses of maize to pre-inoculation and sowing-time inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria under different N rates
Willyan Júnior Adorian Bandeira, Ivan Ricardo Carvalho*, Jaqueline Piesanti Sangiovo, Leonardo Cesar Pradebon, Luís Fernando Maranho Watanabe, Lays Garcia Meireles
Plant Science Department, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Brazil
Department of Agricultural Studies, Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (UNIJUÍ), Ijuí, Brazil
Research and Development, Total Biotecnologia Indústria e Comércio SA, Santo Antônio de Posse, Brazil
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7947-4900
Abstract: This study evaluated the agronomic efficiency of Bacillus licheniformis applied as a seed inoculant in different pre-treatment periods and compared it with conventional nitrogen fertilization. Two experimental phases were conducted. In the main harvest (Candói and Lapa), four treatments were evaluated: T1 – absolute control (no inoculation and no topdressing nitrogen), T2 – nitrogen control (100% nitrogen at sowing plus 200 kg ha⁻¹ in topdressing), T3 – seed inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense 90 days before sowing combined with 75% of the recommended nitrogen, and T4 – seed inoculation with Bacillus licheniformis on the day of sowing combined with 75% nitrogen. In the second harvest (Serranópolis do Iguaçu and São Miguel do Iguaçu), the treatments were: T1 – absolute control, T2 – nitrogen control (100% nitrogen plus 160 kg ha⁻¹ in topdressing), T3 – seed inoculation with Bacillus licheniformis 90 days before sowing plus 75% nitrogen, and T4 – seed inoculation with Bacillus licheniformis on the day of sowing plus 75% nitrogen. Inoculation with Bacillus licheniformis showed agronomic efficiency comparable to the nitrogen control and to Azospirillum brasilense inoculation during the main harvest period. In the second harvest, inoculating seeds with Bacillus licheniformis 90 days before sowing allowed a 25% reduction in nitrogen fertilizer application without negatively affecting maize grain yield, demonstrating that this practice maintains crop performance even under reduced N inputs.
Submitted: 09 July 2025 | Revised: 12 Mayl 2026 | Accepted: 28 April 2026
Pages 495-503 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| Supplementary Data PDF | https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.07.pne72
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Efficiency of use of symbiotic bacteria in maize culture
Leonardo César Pradebon, Ivan Ricardo Carvalho*, Jaqueline Piesanti Sangiovo, Murilo Vieira Loro, Luis Fernando Maranho Watanabe, Aline Dutra
Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Ijuí - RS, Brazil
Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria – RS, Brazil
Biotrop Biological Technology Solutions, Vinhedo - SP, Brazil
Abstract: Although Brazil has an effective participation in the world maize market, grain productivity is still considered low. In this context, new technologies are essential for increasing the productivity of this crop, mainly linked to soil fertility. The use of growth-promoting bacteria presents itself as a new technology, which aims to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers, promoting greater sustainability in grain production. The experiment was carried out in the municipalities of Santa Barbara do Sul- RS, Palmeira- PR, Santo Antônio de Posse- SP, Maracaju- MS, Diamantino- MT, Primavera do Leste- MT, Tangará da Serra- MT, Chapadão do Céu- GO, Uberlândia- MG and Lavras- MG. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with treatments differing between environments, totaling 75 treatments. Subsequently, the method based on Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) was used to estimate the variance components and genetic parameters where significance was obtained through Deviance analysis at 5% probability using the Chi-square test (x2). Subsequently, the stratified BLUP model was used to specifically recommend treatments adapted to a given region. The use of Azospirillum brasiliense and Pseudomonas fluorencens via aerial spraying, in the sowing furrow and seed treatment, using 50% and 75% of the fertilizer dose demonstrated satisfactory results for maize grain productivity.
Submitted: 10 July 2025 | Revised: 13 May 2026 | Accepted: 29 April 2026
Pages 504-511 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.07.pne106
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Initial growth of maize seedlings under soil water tension and density levels
Alan Ricardo Valdanha de Souza, Tonny José Araújo da Silva, Lucas Silveira Lecci, Edna Maria Bonfim-Silva, Luana Aparecida Menegaz Meneghetti, Ivis Andrei Campos e Silva, Patrícia Ferreira da Silva
Institute of Agricultural and Technological Sciences, Federal University of Rondonópolis, Rondonópolis 78736-900, Mato Grosso, Brazil
Faculdade Anhanguera de Rondonópolis - FAR, Rondonópolis, MT, Brazil
National Center for Natural Disaster Monitoring and Alerts - Cemaden, Estrada Doutor Altino Bondesan, 500 - Eugênio de Melo District, São José dos Campos 12247-016, São Paulo, Brazil
Abstract: Soil bulk density and water tension are critical factors influencing the early development of maize (Zea mays L.), a crop of major agricultural importance. This study, which was conducted at the Federal University of Rondonópolis, Brazil, aimed to evaluate the combined effects of these factors on seedling growth via a tension table, with the goal of identifying the optimal cultivation range. The experiment followed a completely randomized design in a 4x5 factorial scheme, with four soil densities (1.2, 1.4, 1.6, and 1.8 g cm-3) and five water tensions (0, 10, 20, 60, and 100 cm H2O), totaling 60 experimental units. Samples of dystrophic Oxisol (Red Latosol) were compacted into PVC pots without mineral fertilization. Measurements were taken at 15 and 20 days after sowing and included variables such as plant height, leaf area and dry mass of shoots and roots, and various root system parameters. The data were subjected to normality and homoscedasticity tests, followed by analysis of variance and regression analysis. The results revealed that emergence time, plant height, and growth rate were significantly influenced by the tested factors. A density of 1.4 g cm-3 and a water tension of 65.2 cm H2O yielded the highest fresh shoot biomass. Water tensions of 72.03 and 94.5 cm H2O enhanced root system development, whereas soil densities between 1.3 and 1.49 g cm-3 favored greater dry root mass. These findings highlight the importance of managing soil physical conditions and water availability for optimal maize seedling development.
Submitted: 07 October 2025 | Revised: 17 December 2025 | Accepted: 11 May 2026
Pages 512-522 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.07.pne151
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Low-cost energy efficiency using a frequency inverter for center pivot irrigation pumping in a pearl millet cultivation area
André Luiz Milhardes Mendes, José Alves Júnior, Delvio Sandri, João Maurício Fernandes Souza, Derblai Casaroli, Diogo Silva Pena, Adão Wagner Pêgo Evangelista, Frank Freire Capuchinho*
Department of Biosystems Engineering, Federal University of Goiás, Brazil
Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brazil
Department of Agronomy, Evangelical University of Goiás, Brazil
ORCID: 0000-0001-7491-361X
Abstract: Center pivot irrigation is the predominant system in Brazil, particularly in the Southeast, Northeast, and Midwest regions. Many systems operate on sloping terrain (up to 15%), where pumps run continuously at full power, leading to unnecessary energy consumption in lower-elevation sections. Although frequency inverters can improve energy efficiency, their adoption remains limited due to high costs. This study aimed to develop and validate a low-cost pump rotation control system for center pivots for pearl millet (Penissetum glaucum L), considering system pressure variations and terrain slope changes. The system comprised a three-phase energy meter, control panel, flow and pressure transducers, digital display, pump, and a smartphone application. It was tested and validated on a center pivot for millet cultivation. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four treatments corresponding to terrain slopes of 2, 1, -1, and -2 m. Morphological, physiological, and yield characteristics of millet plants, energy consumption, and irrigation uniformity were evaluated. Results showed that terrain slope did not affect water application uniformity (≈ 92.8%) or plant growth and yield. Moreover, the modernization reduced electricity consumption by 8.11%, with a cost 36.87% lower than commercial automation. Therefore, this modernization represents a technically viable option for center pivot systems, with increasing economic feasibility as terrain slope increases.
Submitted: 19 October 2025 | Revised: 25 January 2026 | Accepted: 12 May 2026
Pages 523-532 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| Supplementary Data PDF | https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.07.pne155
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Effects of single and co-inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Bacillus subtilis combined with nitrogen fertilization on a perennial millet × napier grass hybrid
Angelo Ferreira Magalhães, Dirk Daniel Dijkstra, Alessandro José Marques Santos, Patrícia Costa Silva, Danilo Correa Baião, Arthur Gabriel Teodor, Patrick Bezerra Fernandes, Adriana Aparecida Ribon, Helivânia Alves dos Santos, Paulo Vitor Xavier de Freitas*, Clarice Backes
Goiás State University – West Campus, São Luís de Montes Belos, Goiás, Brazil
Goiás State University – Southwest Campus, Quirinópolis, Goiás, Brazil
Centro Tecnológico COMIGO, Rio Verde Campus, Rio Verde, Goiás, Brazil
Goiás State University – Palmeiras de Goiás Campus, Palmeiras de Goiás, Goiás, Brazil
Abstract: The objective was to evaluate single and co-inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Bacillus subtilis, combined with different N rates, on morphophysiological and yield parameters of a Pennisetum glaucum × P. purpureum hybrid. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks over two years. Treatments comprised inoculation and nitrogen fertilization: control (no inoculation, no N); 100% of the N rate; 80% of the N rate; A. brasilense + 80% N; P. fluorescens + 80% N; B. subtilis + 80% N; A. brasilense + P. fluorescens + 80% N; and A. brasilense + B. subtilis + 80% N. Pearl millet plant height, tiller density, leaf-to-stem ratio, dry matter yield, and relative leaf chlorophyll index were measured. Tiller density varied by harvest, with B. subtilis + 80% N exhibiting the highest values. The application of P. fluorescens combined with 80% N resulted in the highest dry matter yield, exceeding the 100% N treatment without inoculation and representing a 29% increase with a 20% reduction in N application. Co-inoculation did not provide additional dry matter yield increases in the pearl millet × napier grass hybrid. Thus, under the tested conditions, the most effective strategy was inoculation with P. fluorescens combined with 80% of the recommended N rate.
Submitted: 29 October 2025 | Revised: 11 February 2026 | Accepted: 01 May 2026
Pages 533-539 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.07.pne161
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Temporal erosion of genetic diversity in Thailand’s Saccharum spontaneum populations revealed by microsatellite markers
Anupong Wongtamee*, Supansa Chinaworn, Tonapha Pusadee
Department of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand
Center of Knowledge and Technology for Cane and Sugar, Faculty of agro-industry, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900 Thailand
Department of Plant Production Technology, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-Ok, Bangpra Campus, Chon buri 20110, Thailand
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Agrobiodiversity in Highland and Sustainable Utilization Research Group, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Abstract: Understanding temporal shifts in genetic diversity is critical for maintaining wild sugarcane germplasm. This study used 30 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci to investigate genetic erosion in Saccharum spontaneum populations in lower northern Thailand over three collection periods (2017, 2019 and 2023). A total of 40 populations representing 15 sampling locations across four provinces in lower northern Thailand were analyzed. These populations were selected to encompass the major lowland habitats of Saccharum spontaneum (floodplains, riverbanks, canals, and swamps), providing an ecologically representative subset of Thai wild sugarcane populations for temporal genetic analysis. Polymorphism, gene diversity, and population structure were investigated in 40 populations across four provinces. The findings revealed a gradual decline in genetic diversity over time, consistent with demographic contraction and habitat fragmentation rather than directional selection, with polymorphic loci (PL) and Nei's gene diversity (h) dropping by 15-20%. When compared to 2017 and 2019, the 2023 populations had lower heterozygosity and narrower allelic richness. AMOVA analysis revealed that 50-52% of total variation occurred within populations, while 33-37% was partitioned among collection years and habitat-size classes (ΦPT = 0.33-0.37; P < 0.001). This indicates moderate genetic differentiation. Neighbor-joining clustering revealed two major temporal groups (2017-2019 vs. 2023), which are consistent with habitat fragmentation and limited gene flow. These findings provide the first temporal evidence of genetic erosion in Thai S. spontaneum germplasm, emphasizing the importance of targeted in situ and ex situ conservation, as well as incorporating wild allelic resources into sugarcane breeding programs under the BCG framework.
Pages 540-549 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.07.pne163
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Model design of white copra mechanical extrusion process to produce virgin coconut oil
Budy Rahmat*, Yogi Nirwanto, Zulfikar Noormasyah, Tedi Hartoyo, Iqbal Akmalludin
Doctoral Program of Agricultural Science, Postgraduate Program, Siliwangi University, Indonesia
Department of Agrotechnology, Agriculture Faculty, Siliwangi University, Indonesia
Department of Agrobusiness, Agriculture Faculty, Siliwangi University, Indonesia
Department of Agrotechnology, Postgraduate Program, Siliwangi University, Indonesia
Adress: Siliwangi Street 24th, Tasikmalaya City-46115, West Java, Indonesia
ORCID: 0000-0002-2646-6445
Abstract: This study aims to design a mechanical extrusion process model - namely the process of extracting oil from vegetable materials using a screw press - in the production of virgin coconut oil (VCO) from white copra. White copra is coconut meat that preserved by a proper drying process to avoid microbial infection during storage. The focus of this study is to determine the relationship between the physical process parameters of extrusion and the yield and quality of the resulting VCO. This study addresses the limitations of conventional VCO extraction methods such as fermentation, enzymatic, and centrifugation processes, which although produce high-quality VCO, but have shortcomings in time and cost efficiency for industrial scale. The experiment was arranged using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with a factorial pattern consisting of three levels of copra moisture content (C1 = 6%, C2 = 8%, and C3 = 10%), two extrusion temperatures (T1 = 60°C and T2 = 80°C), and two screw speeds (S1 = 30 rpm and S2 = 60 rpm). The combination of these three factors formed 12 treatments and was carried out three replications, thus requiring 36 experimental batches. 100 g of grated white copra was provided for each batch of extrusion experiments. The observed VCO yield parameters included: oil yield, free fatty acid content, and peroxide value. The results of the study showed that the treatment factors of water content (C), extrusion temperature (T), and screw speed (S), significantly affected the oil yield and quality. The highest VCO yield (64.47%) was obtained in the treatment of 6% water copra content, 80oC process temperature and 60 ppm screw speed (C1T2S2), with a regression model Y1 = 54.82 − 0.65C + 2.15T + 3.24S. In terms of VCO quality, it turned out that the lowest FFA content (0.254%) occurred in the C1T1S1 treatment, while the highest (0.581%) occurred in the C3T2S2, explained by the model Y2 = −0.050 + 0.035C + 0.143T + 0.119S. Peroxide values increased with increasing temperature and screw rotation speed, following the model Y3 = 1.623 + 0.078C + 0.065T + 0.510S. Overall, increasing temperature and screw speed increased the oil extraction efficiency but reduced the chemical stability of VCO due to increased lipid oxidation and hydrolysis. The resulting regression model effectively describes the empirical relationship between extrusion process parameters and oil yield, allowing optimization of extrusion conditions to produce high-yield and high-quality VCO.
Submitted: 03 November 2025 | Revised: 19 February 2026 | Accepted: 11 May 2026
Pages 550-555 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.07.pne168
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Drought tolerance and identification of the metabolomic profile of rice doubled haploid lines derived from anther culture
Zendi Alhamami, Bambang Sapta Purwoko*, Willy Bayuardi Suwarno, Iswari Saraswati Dewi
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, IPB University, Jl. Kamper, IPB Darmaga Campus, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
Center for Food Crops Research, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor km 46, Cibinong-Bogor 16911, Indonesia
Abstract: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a strategic food commodity that serves as the backbone of global food security in Asia, including Indonesia. Rice productivity has declined because of various factors, particularly unpredictable climate change. The development of drought-tolerant rice varieties has become an important solution to address this issue. This study aimed to evaluate drought tolerance in four doubled haploid (DH) rice lines obtained from anther cultures of F1s, derived from crossing high-yielding varieties to drought-tolerant parents KP4, namely G2, G6, G7, and G9, and to identify metabolite profiles associated with drought response. The drought experiment was conducted at the BBPSI Biogen greenhouse using a randomized complete block design with three replications, while metabolite identification was conducted at the DKI Jakarta Health Laboratory using GC-MS. Drought tolerance was evaluated through leaf rolling, leaf drying, and the recovery ability, using IR 20 and Salumpikit as drought-sensitive and drought-tolerant check varieties. The results showed that all DH lines G2, G6, G7, G9 were categorized as tolerant based on their positive selection index values. Metabolite analysis based on PLS-DA identified compounds such as linalyl acetate, phytol, pentadecanoic acid, d-limonene, 9-octadecenoic acid, and linalool as potentially involved in adaptation to drought conditions. Selection using VIP values revealed 17 dominant compounds that could serve as markers of the metabolite profiles of the selected DH lines. Linalyl acetate, which was only found in the shoots of all DH rice lines and Salumpikit under drought, has potential as a marker of drought tolerance.
Submitted: 12 November 2025 | Revised: 19 February 2026 | Accepted: 11 May 2026
Pages 556-564 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.07.pne179
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The potential of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium sp.) extract as a bioherbicide for controlling coatbuttons weeds (Tridax procumbens) in soybean (Glycine max L.) crops
Yumna Hanifa S, Dyah Weny Respatie*, Aziz Purwantoro
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl. Flora no.1, Bulaksumur, Sleman, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5382-6197
Abstract: Indonesian soybean production is affected by several biotic and abiotic environmental factors. One biotic environmental factor in soybean production is weeds, such as coatbuttons (Tridax procumbens) which is known as gletang weed in Indonesia. Weed control in soybean production using synthetic herbicides can polute the environment and cause health issues for other organisms. Thus, there is a merit to stepping away from these methods and invention of more environmentally friendly ones, such as the use of waste from chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium L.) harvest for bioherbicides. This research was conducted from April 2024 to July 2025 at the Production Management Laboratory and Greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta. Panting media used is a mixture of soil and manure that has been sterilized. This experiment had 3 steps. The first step was to identify secondary metabolites present in chrysanthemum extracts with potential bioherbicide compounds. The second step was to determine which plant tissue of chrysanthemum and at concentrations could inhibit the growth of coatbuttons without affecting soybean plants. The third step was to determine the optimal application time of chrysanthemum bioherbicide to manage weeds in semi-field soybean experiments. Results demonstrated that leaf and stem chrysanthemum extracts at a concentration of 40 g.L-1 inhibited coatbuttons growth but not soybean. Potential herbicidal secondary metabolite found in chrysanthemum extracts included is9-Octadecenamide (Z)-, Cyclononasiloxane, octadecamethyl-, dan Hexadecanoic acid. The optimum application time of chrysanthemum bioherbicide to control weeds in semi-field soybean experiments was during planting.
Submitted: 03 December 2025 | Revised: 23 April 2026 | Accepted: 11 May 2026
Pages 565-573 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.07.pne200
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The role of Kosakonia radicincitans and Methylobacterium radiotolerans with rhizobia in enhancing nitrogen fixation, growth and yield of faba bean (Vicia faba L.)
Amal A. Ali*, Heba O.M. Orf , Amjad H. S. Alsahafi, Nada M. Dolieb, Nashwa Hagagy
Department of Agricultural microbiology, Soil, Water and Environment Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
Department of Biology, college of science and Arts, Khulais, University of Jeddah, Kingdom Saudi Arabia
Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
Abstract: Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) - rhizobia multi-strain biofertilizer has received a lot of attention lately as a way to improve agricultural crop productivity and growth. The study was aimed to assess the capacity of Methylobacterium radiotolerans and Kosakonia radicincitans bacterial strains to fix nitrogen in nitrogen-free media and produce growth hormones including cytokinins, gibberellins and auxins using HPLC ( in vitro) and determine the effect of their inoculation on faba bean plants by measuring CO2 evolution in soil, chlorophyll content, nodulation status, shoot and root dry weight in addition to N,P,K contents at 60 days after planting and plant yield at harvest. Results of in vitro tests showed that both M. radiotolerans and K. radicincitans could grow on Jensen’s medium, could produce indole-3-acetic acid at concentration (1.76 and 2.22 mg/100 ml), gibberellins (13.88 and 4.22 mg/100 ml), respectively. Concerning cytokinins, M. radiotolerans was higher in Kineitin (0.148 μg/100 ml) and Benzyl adinin (1.05 μg/100 ml), while K. radicincitans was higher in Zeatin (0.032 μg/100 ml). In a field trial, Tripartite co-inoculation of rhizobium and two PGPR showed the best results for number and dry weight of nodules, dry weight of root and shoot, chlorophyll, relative leaf water content (RWC%), CO2 evolution, N.P.K. percentage, seed yield, and 100-seed weight of faba bean plants as compared to the control plants. Future studies should concentrate on field-scale validation and bacterial consortia development to maximize agricultural benefits.
Submitted: 09 December 2025 | Revised: 24 April 2026 | Accepted: 27 May 2026
Pages 574-586 | Full Text PDF| Read Article| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.07.pne211