Bacillus aryabhattai improves pre-sprouted seedlings of sugarcane varieties

Embrapa scientists have been researching the potential use of Bacillus aryabhattai, discovered by researcher Itamar Melo, in pre-sprouted sugarcane seedlings inoculated with the microorganism, when subjected to different water supply regimes after transplanting. Research has demonstrated that there may be a beneficial effect from the use of biological active ingredients, depending on the sugarcane cultivar used.

Andre May, researcher at Embrapa Meio Ambiente, part of the project team, explains that “over the course of the experimental period, mortality, plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter and number of tillers were evaluated, in addition to other characteristics important.”

At the end of the research, the dry mass of the aerial part and the dry mass of the roots of the plants were also measured. There was an effect of the use of the biological active on the growth of the aerial part, also affecting the mass of the plants, the diameter and height of the stalk.

“It was also observed that the development of the roots was influenced by the use of the active ingredient, depending on the cultivar and the amount of water applied to the system”, highlights the researcher, also warning, in turn, that new research still needs to take place, as there is a large variation in the response of the asset, depending on the genetic material used.

The complete study by André May, Michelli de Souza dos Santos, from Embrapa Meio Ambiente, Evandro Henrique Figueiredo Moura da Silva, from the University of São Paulo, Ronaldo da Silva Viana, from the Universidade Estadual Paulista, Nilson Aparecido Vieira Junior, from the University of São Paulo Paulo, Nilza Patrícia Ramos and Itamar Soares de Melo, from Embrapa Meio Ambiente, was published in Research, Society and Development, v. 10, no. 2, e11510212337, 2021 (CC BY 4.0, access here.