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Impact of selected Bacillus strains inoculation on barley biomass yield
Dervišević Milenković, Marina
Maksimović, Jelena
Pavlović, Jelena
Jovković, Marina
Savić, Slađana
Buntić, Aneta
Knežević, Magdalena
Abstract: Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) ranks as the world's fourth most important cereal crop, boasting a long history of cultivation and a pivotal role in agricultural production across the globe. Its significance stems from its adaptability to diverse climatic conditions, high nutritional value, and versatile utility—ranging from livestock feed and a primary brewing raw material to human food products. In the context of a growing global population and the challenges posed by climate change, it is imperative to develop sustainable and efficient strategies to enhance barley yield and quality. To this end, there is a growing focus on utilizing microorganisms as an ecologically friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Strains of bacteria from the genus Bacillus are particularly promising; as some of them are classified as Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). These bacteria are renowned for their ability to improve nutrient uptake (e.g., through nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization), synthesize plant growth hormones, and protect crops against pathogens. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of two Bacillus strains on the growth performance of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under semi-controlled conditions, in a pot experiment. Bacillus strains were selected based on their previously confirmed PGP traits, such as the production of indole-3-acetic acid, siderophore and phosphate solubilization ability. Barley seeds were inoculated with Bacillus thuringiensis BHC 2.4 and Bacillus velezensis BHC 3.1, while a noninoculated treatment served as the control. The experiment was conducted in the greenhouse of the Institute of Soil Science from May to August 2025. Plants were grown in pots (15 cm in diameter) arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications per treatment. At the end of the experiment, aboveground biomass was harvested, dried and measured (g). Both bacterial treatments significantly enhanced plant biomass compared to the control. The dry biomass yield increased by up to 29.93% in plants inoculated with B. thuringiensis BHC 2.4 and by up to 48.91% in those treated with B. velezensis BHC 3.1. These results suggest that the tested Bacillus strains have a strong potential as plant growth-promoting inoculants for barley cultivation, contributing to sustainable crop production and reduced dependence on chemical fertilizers. Future research should include confirmation of efficiency of the selected strains under field conditions.
engleski
2025
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Bacillus inoculation; barley growth; biomass yield; greenhouse pot experiment