Inoculation of Pseudomonas putida in Farmer Environment to Improve Growth and Yield: Maize (Zea mays L.) Trial in Sothern, Central and Northern (Benin)

Abstract

The application of Plant Growth Promoting rhizobacteria as a microbial bio-fertilizers to increase soil fertility and productivity, allows a rational use of chemical fertilizers which makes agriculture sustainable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the rhizobacteria Pseudomonas putida on the maize productivity in farmer environment. For this purpose, trials were conducted in two Agricultural Development Poles with nine (09) producers equitably distributed in Southern, Central and Northern Benin. The experimental design was a completely randomized block of three (03) treatments (T1: farmer practice; T2: P. putida + ½ recommended dose of NPK and Urea; T3: recommended dose of NPK and Urea) with three (03) repetitions. During sowing, two (2) maize seeds of the 2000 SYNEE-W variety were introduced into a pot and inoculated with 10 ml of bacterial suspensions of 108 CFU/ml concentration. The results showed that the best heights, stem diameters and leaf areas of maize plants were obtained with P. putida + ½ recommended dose of NPK and Urea with the nine (09) producers of the three (03) areas with respective increases of 14.76%; 18.08% and 26.56% compared to the farmer practice. In addition, the results related to yield parameters such as aerial biomass, underground biomass and maize grain yield were better improved with the P. putida + ½ recommended dose of NPK and Urea. The average rates of increase recorded were 42.70%, 38.96% and 77.69%, respectively, compared to farmer practice. In sum, this rhizobacteria can be used as the microbial bio-fertilizers to improve maize productivity in Benin.