ABSTRACT The application of flumioxazin and imazethapyr can affect the interactions between rhizobia and soybean in the rhizosphere. However, it remains unclear the effect of both herbicides, even when applied in mixture, on early nodulation and biological N fixation (BNF) in soybean, mainly related to some important biochemical traits in nodules. This study assessed the effect of flumioxazin, imazethapyr and their mixture on early nodulation and BNF in rhizosphere of soybean. The plant emergence, early nodulation, growth, and N accumulation were evaluated in soybean grown in sandy and clayey soils. The leghemoglobin content and glutamine synthetase (GS) activity were also assessed in fresh nodules. Individually, flumioxazin and imazethapyr did not affect the plant emergence, nodulation and N accumulation in soybean, while the mixture decreased significantly these parameters. Also, the values of leghemoglobin content and GS activity did not decrease with the application of the herbicides individually. The application of herbicides imazethapyr and flumioxazin separately negatively influenced the growth of soybean, while they do not influence the nodulation and N accumulation. However, the use of these herbicides in mixture can negatively influence the early nodulation and N fixation by native rhizobia.

Abstract: Sugarcane is an important Brazilian commodity, being usually cultivated in soils with low natural fertility. This study aimed to isolate diazotrophic endophytes from sugarcane tissues and evaluate the morphological and physiological characteristics of their colonies as well as their plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits in select diazotrophic endophytic bacteria. Fifty-six bacterial isolates were identified in the sugarcane tissues, and these isolates presented distinct morphological and physiological traits. A total of thirty-five bacterial isolates were biochemically evaluated. Overall, Bacillus was the dominant genus. Isolates of Methylobacterium spp. and Brevibacillus agri were present only in leaves, while Herbaspirillum seropedicae occurred only in stems. Except to IPA-CF45A, all isolates were nitrogenase positive. All endophytes exhibit production of indol 3-acetic acid. Over 50% of endophytes solubilize phosphate, release N-acyl homoserine lactones, and present the activity of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase, catalase, lipase and protease. The network analysis showed that isolates belonged to Burkholderia, Herbaspirillum, and Methylobacterium interact with Bacillus. Bacterial endophytes exhibited distinct morphological, physiological, and PGP traits that are useful for sustainable agriculture, highlighting the isolates IPA-CC33, IPA-CF65, IPA-CC9 and IPA-CF27. Further studies on the effects of these diazotrophic endophytes and their potential for providing microbial inoculants for improving sugarcane fields will provide valuable information to maintain the sustainability and environment quality.

RESUMO: Este estudo avaliou a atividade de isolados de rizóbios inoculados em sementes pequenas (11 mm) e grandes (18 mm) sobre o crescimento, nodulação e fixação de N de feijão-fava. Isolados selecionados de rizóbios foram comparados com uma estirpe de referência CIAT899 e dois controles sem inoculação. Sementes grandes contribuíram para maior crescimento de plantas, nodulação e fixação de N do que sementes pequenas. Os isolados UFPI-59, UFPI-18 e UFPI-38 promoveram os maiores valores de massa seca de parte aérea e raízes. Os isolados UFPI-32 e UFPI-59 promoveram os maiores valores de número e massa de nódulos, respectivamente. Os isolados UFPI-38 e UFPI-59 promoveram maior acúmulo de N. Este estudo mostrou que o tamanho de sementes influencia o crescimento, nodulação e fixação de N em feijão-fava. Considerando os isolados de rizóbios, UFPI-59, UFPI-38 e UFPI-18 contribuíram para o crescimento de plantas, promoveram melhor nodulação e eficiência na fixação de N.

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the activity of rhizobia isolates inoculated in large (18 mm) and small (11 mm) seeds on lima bean growth, nodulation and N fixation. Selected rhizobia isolates were compared with a reference strain CIAT899 and two controls without inoculation. Large seeds contributed for highest plant growth, nodulation and N fixation than small seeds. The isolates UFPI-59, UFPI-18 and UFPI-38 promoted the highest values of shoot and root dry weight, respectively. The isolates UFPI-32 promoted the highest values of nodule number, while UFPI-59 promoted the highest values of nodule dry weight. The isolates UFPI-38 and UFPI-59 promoted the highest accumulation of N. This study showed that seed size really influences lima bean growth, nodulation and BNF. Considering rhizobia isolates, UFPI-59, UFPI-38, and UFPI-18 contributed for plant growth, promoted better nodulation and effectiveness on biological N fixation.

ABSTRACT Chromium contamination in soils affects plant growth and this metal can accumulate in plants tissues. In addition, Cr can affect soil microbial biomass and activity. On the other hand, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can protect plants against metals and, at the same time, promote plant growth and could alleviate adverse effects on microbial biomass. This study evaluated five PGPR on maize growth, Cr accumulation and soil microbial biomass in a Cr-contaminated soil. Five PGPR (LCC04, LCC41, LCC69, LCC81 and IPA403), isolated from soil under permanent application of composted tannery sludge and contaminated with Cr, were inoculated in maize plants grown in soils with (+Cr) and without (–Cr) Cr. In Cr-contaminated soil, LCC41 promoted the highest growth of maize, while LCC04 contributed with the highest N accumulation. The shoots of maize accumulated less Cr with LCC81, while LCC41 contributed to the highest Cr accumulation in roots. The translocation of Cr was highest with IPA403, while LCC81 contributed to reduce Cr translocation. In conclusion, LCC41 and LCC81 could be effective as PGPR inoculants to promote plant growth and reduce Cr accumulation in maize, respectively, in Cr contaminated soil.

ABSTRACT The inoculation of rhizobia in lima bean can increase its yield and contribute to smallholder farms. In this study, the potential of rhizobia in increasing the lima bean yield was evaluated in two regions from Piaui and Ceará states. The experiments were conducted in field comparing three rhizobia strains (UFPI32, UFPI38, UFPI59), one strain of reference to Phaseolus vulgaris (CIAT899) and two controls (with and without nitrogen). The parameters of nodulation, N accumulation and yield varied between treatments and locations. The nodule biomasses were higher in UFPI59 and UFPI32 (Piauí), and CIAT899 and UFPI32 (Ceará). The highest values of nodule size were found in treatments UFPI59 in both locations. Lima bean presented highest values of leaf N in UFPI59 and CIAT899. The highest values of grain yield were found in the treatment UFPI59 as compared to CIAT899 and the controls. The results confirmed the potential of UFPI59 in promoting nodulation, N accumulation, plant growth and yield of lima bean in both locations.

RESUMO: Este estudo avaliou a resposta do feijão-fava (Phaseolus lunatus L.) a aplicação de lodo de curtume compostado na nodulação, absorção de N e crescimento. Durante oito anos, o composto foi aplicado em doses de: 0, 2.5, 5, 10, e 20 Mg ha-1 (base seca). As plantas de feijão-fava mostraram maior nodulação nos tratamentos com o composto. Entretanto, os nódulos encontrados nestes tratamentos apresentaram menor biomassa, tamanho e diversidade do que os observados no tratamento sem composto. A acumulação de N aumentou com a aplicação da maior dose do composto (20 Mg ha-1), enquanto que houve um aumento nos teores de crômio na parte aérea com o aumento das doses do composto. Desta forma, o uso do lodo de curtume compostado, em longo prazo, aumenta a acumulação de crômio, aumentando a nodulação, enquanto diminui a diversidade de rizóbios nos nódulos.

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the responses of lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) to application of composted tannery sludge on nodulation, N uptake and plant growth. For eight years, the compost was applied at rates of: 0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 Mg ha-1 (dry basis). Plants of lima bean showed higher nodulation in treatments with compost; however, nodules reported in these treatments presented lower biomass, size and diversity than those reported in treatment without compost. Accumulation of N increased with the application of the highest rate (20 Mg ha-1), while there was an increase in chromium content in shoot with the increase in compost rates. Thus, the use of composted tannery sludge, in long-term, increases the accumulation of chromium in plants, increasing nodulation, while decrease rhizobia diversity in nodules.

RESUMO Bactérias promotoras de crescimento em plantas (BPCP) são encontradas em tecidos vegetais e promovem o crescimento vegetal por meio da secreção de hormônios e enzimas, ou auxiliando a absorção de nutrientes. Avaliaram-se quarenta isolados de BPCP para determinar seus efeitos sobre o crescimento de milho e sorgo. Estes isolados foram também comparados com plantas não inoculadas, como controles negativos (-N; sem fertilização nitrogenada) e positivos (+N; com fertilização nitrogenada). A altura, diâmetro de caule, massas secas da parte aérea e raízes, acúmulo de N e conteúdo de clorofila foram avaliados. Em ambos o milho e o sorgo, a altura, diâmetro do caule e a massa seca da parte aérea em plantas inoculadas com BPCP foram similares aos das plantas não inoculadas e fertilizadas com N, e as respostas da massa das raízes foram maiores que das plantas fertilizadas com N. Entretanto, os isolados de BPCP não promoveram acúmulo de N e conteúdo de clorofila semelhantes aos das plantas não inoculadas e fertilizadas com N. IPACC26 e IPACC30, ambos identificados como Bacillus subtilis, apresentaram melhores respostas para o crescimento das plantas e acúmulo de N do que os outros isolados.

ABSTRACT Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are found in plant tissues and promote plant growth by secretion of hormones and enzymes, or by facilitating the nutrient uptake. This study assessed forty PGPB isolates to determine their effects on maize and sorghum growth. These isolates were also compared with uninoculated plants, as negative (-N; without N fertilization) and positive (+N; with N fertilization) controls. Plant height, stem diameter, shoot and root dry mass, leaf N accumulation and chlorophyll content were evaluated. For both the maize and sorghum, the height, stem diameter and shoot dry mass in plants inoculated with PGPB were similar to those of uninoculated plants supplied with N, and the responses for root mass were higher than in plants supplied with N. However, the PGPB isolates did not promote N accumulation and chlorophyll content similar to those of uninoculated plants supplied with N. The IPACC26 and IPACC30 isolates, both identified as Bacillus subtilis, resulted in better responses for plant growth and N accumulation than the other isolates.

RESUMO. A acumulação de cromo (Cr) no solo e nas plantas tem sido relatada após sucessivas aplicações de lodo de curtume, o que é motivo de preocupação tendo em vista que este elemento pode promover a contaminação ambiental e afetar a cadeia alimentar. Neste estudo, avaliou-se o crescimento e a acumulação de Cr no milho e caupi após sete anos de aplicações consecutivas de lodo de curtume compostado (LCC) em condições de campo. O experimento consistiu na aplicação de LCC em cinco doses: 0 (controle); 2,5; 5; 10 e 20 Mg ha-1 (base seca). O crescimento e o acúmulo de Cr no milho e no caupi foram avaliados aos 75 e 65 dias após a emergência das plantas, respectivamente. A aplicação de LCC aumentou a biomassa do milho e caupi. A acumulação de Cr foi semelhante para ambas as espécies, com maior acumulação relatada nas raízes. No entanto, a acumulação de Cr nos grãos diferiu entre as espécies: o caupi acumulou Cr, enquanto o milho não acumulou esse elemento nos grãos. Em conclusão, a aplicação de LCC proporcionou maior crescimento de plantas de milho e feijão-caupi, e ambas as espécies apresentaram respostas semelhantes à acumulação de Cr nas raízes e parte aérea.

ABSTRACT. Chromium (Cr) accumulation in soil and plants has been reported after successive applications of tannery sludge, which is a matter of concern because Cr can promote environmental contamination and affect the food chain. In this study, we evaluated the growth of and Cr accumulation in maize and cowpea after seven years of consecutive applications of composted tannery sludge (CTS) under field conditions. The experiment consisted of application of CTS at five levels: 0 (control), 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 Mg ha-1 (dry basis). The growth of and Cr accumulation in maize and cowpea were evaluated at 75 and 65 days after plant emergence, respectively. CTS application increased the shoot biomass of maize and cowpea. Accumulation of Cr was similar for both plant species, with higher accumulation in roots. However, Cr accumulation in grains differed as the CTS doses increased; cowpea accumulated more Cr while maize did not accumulate more Cr in grains with higher CTS doses. In conclusion, application of CTS led to higher growth of maize and cowpea plants, and both species exhibited similar Cr accumulation in roots and shoots.

RESUMO: O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a resposta bioquímica do milho, sob stresse salino, inoculado com Bacillus subtilis. Quatro níveis de salinidade foram avaliados: 0mM, 50mM, 100mM e 200mM de cloreto de sódio (NaCl). Condições salinas influenciaram negativamente o crescimento do milho. Entretanto, a inoculação com B. subtilis melhorou o crescimento das plantas no maior nível de NaCl. O teor de clorofila decresceu enquanto que a prolina aumentou em plantas submetidas aos níveis salinos e inoculadas com B. subtilis. B. subtilis também aumentou o conteúdo de agua foliar. A inoculação com B. subtilis promove melhor crescimento das plantas sob salinidade e atenua os danos bioquímicos no milho.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical responses of maize, under saline stress, inoculated with Bacillus subtilis. Four levels of salinity were assessed: 0mM, 50mM, 100mM, and 200mM of sodium chloride (NaCl). Saline conditions influenced negatively maize growth. However, the inoculation of B. subtilis improved the plant growth at highest level of NaCl. Chlorophyll content decreased while proline increased in inoculated plants submitted to highest salt levels. Also, B. subtilis increased the relative water content in leaves. B. subtilis improves the plant growth under salinity and ameliorates the biochemical damages in maize.

Em leguminosas tropicais, a cuidadosa seleção de estirpes de rizóbio, entre outros fatores, é fundamental para a eficiência da fixação biológica de N2 (FBN). Essa seleção deve ser feita para as leguminosas de interesse social e econômico, entre elas o feijão-fava (Phaseolus lunatus L.). O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência simbiótica de rizóbios nativos de duas regiões do Piauí produtoras de feijão-fava. Foram avaliados 17 isolados e duas estirpes de referência (CIAT 899 e NGR 234), em casa de vegetação, utilizando-se vasos de Leonard autoclavados, no delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso, com três repetições. O genótipo de feijão-fava utilizado foi o UFPI-468. A inoculação foi feita por ocasião do plantio. A coleta foi realizada aos 34 dias após o plantio, sendo avaliadas as seguintes características: matéria seca da parte aérea (MSPA), da raiz (MSR) e dos nódulos (MSN); relação MSPA/MSR; N acumulado (Nac) na MSPA e a eficiência da fixação de N2. Foi observada diferença significativa entre os isolados em todas as características, exceto em MSR. Em geral, os isolados ISO-18, ISO-23, ISO-24, ISO-25, ISO-30, ISO-32, ISO-35, ISO-36, ISO-43 e ISO-45 apresentaram os melhores índices de MSPA, MSR, MSPA/MSR, Nac e eficiência da fixação de N2, em relação aos isolados ISO-2, ISO-9, ISO-16, ISO-40 e testemunha absoluta. As características avaliadas foram suficientes para discriminar e selecionar isolados eficientes na nodulação em feijão-fava, contribuindo para a efetividade da FBN. Os melhores isolados apresentaram bom desempenho no fornecimento de N às plantas, podendo ser recomendados para testes de eficiência agronômica.

In tropical legumes, a careful selection of rhizobia strains, among other factors, is essential for the efficiency of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). This selection should be made for leguminous crops of social and economic interest, such as lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.). The aim of this study was to evaluate the symbiotic effectiveness of rhizobia from two regions of Piauí producing lima bean. Seventeen isolates and two reference strains CIAT 899 and NGR 234 were evaluated on the fava bean genotype "UFPI-468". The study was conducted in a greenhouse in autoclaved Leonard jars, in a randomized block design with three replications. Inoculation was done at planting. Samples were collected 34 days after planting to assess the following variables: shoot dry mass (SDM), root (MRS) and nodules (MNS), ratio SDM/MRS, accumulated nitrogen (Nac) in SDM by the Kjeldahl method, and N2-fixation efficiency. Significant interactions were observed among all variables except for MSR. In general, the values for DMAP, MRS , DMAP/MRS, Nac and N2-fixation efficiency of the isolates ISO-18, ISO-23, ISO-24, ISO-25, ISO-30, ISO-32, ISO-35, ISO-36, ISO-43, and ISO-45 were higher than of ISO-2, ISO-9, ISO 16, and ISO-40 and the absolute control. The variables used in this study were sufficient to discriminate and select nodulation-efficient strains for lima bean, increasing the effectiveness of BNF. Most isolates performed well in terms of N supply to plants and can be recommended for tests of agronomic efficiency.