Growth regulation in bread wheat via novel bioinoculant formulation

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Microbiology
• Agronomy

Background:

• Low wheat production is a global concern, impacting food security due to factors like climate change, disease, and poor soil.
• Bioinoculant application is an emerging strategy to enhance wheat yield and mitigate production constraints.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of different bioinoculant formulations using various carriers and endophytic bacterial strains for improving wheat growth and yield.
• To identify optimal bioinoculant combinations for enhancing key agronomic traits in wheat varieties.

Main Methods:

• A pot experiment was conducted using three wheat varieties (Ujala-16, Zincol-16, Fathejang-16).
• Talc powder, wheat biochar, sugarcane bagasse biochar, and farmyard manure were used as carriers for Burkholderia phytofirmans PsJN and Bacillus spp. MN54.
• Plant growth and yield parameters were recorded at seedling and maturity stages.

Main Results:

• Bioinoculant application significantly improved plant growth compared to control groups.
• The combination of sugarcane bagasse biochar with Bacillus sp. MN54 showed the most significant improvements in internodal length, spike length, tiller number, grain yield, and spikelets per spike.
• Talc powder with Bacillus sp. MN54 enhanced peduncle length, tiller number, and spike length in the Fathejang-16 variety.

Conclusions:

• Specific bioinoculant formulations, particularly sugarcane bagasse biochar with Bacillus sp. MN54, can substantially enhance wheat productivity.
• These findings provide valuable insights for developing effective bioinoculant strategies to improve agricultural practices and contribute to global food security.
• Optimizing bioinoculant applications is crucial for adapting agriculture to climate change and ensuring sustainable food production.