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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #208750
Title: Reduced Environmental Impact of Fertilizers Using PGPR

Author
item ADESEMOYE, A - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item KLOEPPER, J - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item Torbert, Henry - Allen

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/4/2007
Publication Date: 2/4/2007
Citation: Adesemoye, A.O., Kloepper, J.W., Torbert III, H.A. 2007. Reduced Environmental Impact of Fertilizers Using PGPR [abstract]. 2007 Annual Meeting of the Southern Divison of American Phytopathological Society. CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The use of fertilizers is becoming a threat to sustainability in agriculture. Inorganic fertilizer is linked to nitrate contamination of groundwater and phosphorus runoff. Even with organic fertilizers, such as poultry litter, high phosphorus bioavailability, nitrogen accumulation, and leaching may occur. This study was aimed at reducing fertilizer input and increasing nutrient uptake while maintaining yields, by adding plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and/or mycorrhizae. Continuous corn on a 20-year rotation with wheat and soybean was treated with four inoculants (PGPR, mycorrhizae, PGPR plus mycorrhizae, and control) on two fertilizer types (organic and inorganic), and two tillage systems (conventional and no till) in a split-split-split plot design. Yield per plot, and nutrient content of silage and grain were monitored. In the greenhouse, tomato was grown with different rates of water-soluble N-P-K (20-10-20) with or without inoculants. Inoculants led to growth promotion in the greenhouse and field, increases in yield, and 30-60% increased nutrient uptake.