Phosphate fertilizers coated with phosphate-solubilising Trichoderma harzianum increase phosphorus uptake and growth of Zea mays.

Item request has been placed! ×
Item request cannot be made. ×
loading   Processing Request
  • Additional Information
    • Abstract:
      Background and scope: Enriching phosphorus (P) fertilizers with phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) can be a promising strategy to enhance P-use efficiency in agriculture. However, the effects of these microorganisms when applied in mixtures or coating P fertilizers needs further investigation. In this work, we coated a Rock Phosphate (RP) or soluble P fertilizer (Triple Superphosphate -TS) with Trichoderma harzianum, to enhance plant P uptake and growth of corn (Zea mays).The addition of T. harzianum to RP and TS reduced soil pH and increased the activity of soil acid and alkaline phosphatases which are important mechanisms involved in P mobilization by PSM. Trichoderma harzianum increased plant root length, root surface area and total root dry mass (17%). Trichoderma harzianum also increased plant P content (34%) and total dry matter content (22%) of plants fertilized with soluble phosphate (TS).Our main findings provide evidence that coating fertilizers with T. harzianum can be an effective way to enhance plant growth and P-use efficiency in agricultural systems. Importantly, we show that joint application with fertilizer did not impair important mechanisms of P mobilization by T. harzianum. Further research, in the field and under different environmental conditions, is necessary to validate the technology.Results: Enriching phosphorus (P) fertilizers with phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) can be a promising strategy to enhance P-use efficiency in agriculture. However, the effects of these microorganisms when applied in mixtures or coating P fertilizers needs further investigation. In this work, we coated a Rock Phosphate (RP) or soluble P fertilizer (Triple Superphosphate -TS) with Trichoderma harzianum, to enhance plant P uptake and growth of corn (Zea mays).The addition of T. harzianum to RP and TS reduced soil pH and increased the activity of soil acid and alkaline phosphatases which are important mechanisms involved in P mobilization by PSM. Trichoderma harzianum increased plant root length, root surface area and total root dry mass (17%). Trichoderma harzianum also increased plant P content (34%) and total dry matter content (22%) of plants fertilized with soluble phosphate (TS).Our main findings provide evidence that coating fertilizers with T. harzianum can be an effective way to enhance plant growth and P-use efficiency in agricultural systems. Importantly, we show that joint application with fertilizer did not impair important mechanisms of P mobilization by T. harzianum. Further research, in the field and under different environmental conditions, is necessary to validate the technology.Conclusion: Enriching phosphorus (P) fertilizers with phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) can be a promising strategy to enhance P-use efficiency in agriculture. However, the effects of these microorganisms when applied in mixtures or coating P fertilizers needs further investigation. In this work, we coated a Rock Phosphate (RP) or soluble P fertilizer (Triple Superphosphate -TS) with Trichoderma harzianum, to enhance plant P uptake and growth of corn (Zea mays).The addition of T. harzianum to RP and TS reduced soil pH and increased the activity of soil acid and alkaline phosphatases which are important mechanisms involved in P mobilization by PSM. Trichoderma harzianum increased plant root length, root surface area and total root dry mass (17%). Trichoderma harzianum also increased plant P content (34%) and total dry matter content (22%) of plants fertilized with soluble phosphate (TS).Our main findings provide evidence that coating fertilizers with T. harzianum can be an effective way to enhance plant growth and P-use efficiency in agricultural systems. Importantly, we show that joint application with fertilizer did not impair important mechanisms of P mobilization by T. harzianum. Further research, in the field and under different environmental conditions, is necessary to validate the technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
    • Abstract:
      Copyright of Plant & Soil is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)