Abstract

DIAZ FRANCO, Arturo; GALVEZ LOPEZ, Didiana  and  ORTIZ CHAIREZ, Flor Elena. Bio-inoculation and reduced chemical fertilization associated with plant growth and productivity of sorghum. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2015, vol.31, n.3, pp.245-252. ISSN 0188-4999.

Microbial inoculants or bio-inoculants currently have great ecological and economic importance in agriculture. The study considers knowing the effectiveness of three commercial bio-inoculants (Micorriza INIFAP, Ferbiliq and Biofertibuap-Sorghum) combined with half of chemical fertilization [50 % CF (60-20-00)], on plant characteristics and productivity of sorghum. In flag leaf stage, the bio-inoculants plus 50 % CF, did not show effects in chlorophyll index and fresh and dry aerial biomass in relation to 100 % CF or control. At maturity, the greater plant height was obtained with Micorriza INIFAP and Micorriza INIFAP + 50 % CF; fresh radical biomass was greater with Micorriza INIFAP; and there were no variations in fresh and dry aerial biomass. At leaf flag and maturity stages, the stem diameters of all treatments were similar but significantly larger than control. The best values of long of panicle, grains per panicle and grain yield were registered with the three bio-inoculants + 50 % CF and 100 % CF (120-40-00). The 100 grains weight was increased by the three bio-inoculants + 50 % CF. Results suggested the possibility of reducing 50 % of chemical fertilization of sorghum CF through seed inoculation of Micorriza INIFAP, Ferbiliq or Biofertibuap-Sorghum.

Keywords : arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi; rhizobacteria; biofertilizers; Sorghum bicolor.