Influence of the endophytic fungus <i>Metarhizium robertsii</i> on the growth and development of forage beans siberian varieties

Abstract

   The results of studying the influence of the endophytic fungus Metarhizium robertsii on the growth and development of fodder beans of the Sibirskie variety are presented. Endophytes are ubiquitous, diverse microorganisms that live in healthy host tissues without causing visible disease symptoms. The studies were conducted in 2020–2022. Pre-sowing treatment of broad bean seeds (Vicia faba L.) with the entomopathogenic fungus M. robertsii, followed by cultivation in field conditions, contributed to the acceleration of growth processes, the formation of greater biological mass and increased yield. The effectiveness of the entomopathogenic fungus M. robertsii was assessed in a field experiment on leached chernozem in the forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia. M. robertsii on broad beans significantly increased grain yield by 10–15 % depending on year conditions in 2020 and 2022. (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.036715 and 0.012186, respectively), plant height - by 6–16 cm (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.010023), foliage, and weight of 1000 grains. A significant increase in active nodules on the roots of broad bean plants treated with M. robertsii was established. The results indicate that treating bean seeds with the entomopathogenic fungus M. robertsii before sowing can increase crop yield and stimulate growth processes. In the future, this technique can be used in agricultural practice on other legumes. This work is the first study of the influence of entomopathogenic fungi on broad beans when grown in the continental climate of Western Siberia.