Initial growth response of twelve Saccharum Complex genotypes to inoculation using Nitrospirillum viridazoti

HIGHLIGHTS

Genotypes of Saccharum Complex differ in growth response upon bacterial inoculation.

S. spontaneum was the genus with a higher growth response.

Initial growth of 12 genotypes showed a limited response to bacterial application.

Under low soil fertility, the order of macronutrient accumulation was K >> N > Ca > Mg > P.

ABSTRACT

Sugar and alcohol production in Brazil comes from planting hybrids from the crossing of species belonging to the Saccharum Complex. However, little is known about the growth response of these genera to inoculation using a diazotrophic bacteria Nitrospirillum viridazoti strain BR11145, currently recommended in Brazil as an inoculant for sugarcane growth promotion. This study aimed to evaluate the initial growth of 12 sugarcane genotypes inoculated or not with the strain BR11145. After 109 days, plant growth, biomass and macronutrient accumulation were evaluated. Fresh and dry mass at the end of the trial showed a positive response to inoculation for the genotypes US72-1319, CPDAU 849678, and NG77-122 of S. spontaneum and for Fiji 10 of Miscanthus. A negative response was observed for Q45416 of Saccharum sp. The growth of S. spontaneum US72-1319 is significantly improved by the inoculation with BR11145, which leads to a high accumulation of nutrients, especially N, standing out among the genotypes tested.

 diazotrophic bacterium; growth promotion; nitrogen