Purple maize has gained global significance due to its numerous nutraceutical benefits. However, sustaining its production typically requires high doses of nitrogen fertilizers, which, when applied in excess, can contaminate vital resources such as soil and water. Inoculation with nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, such as those from the Azospirillum genus, has emerged as an alternative to partially or fully replace nitrogen fertilizers. This study aimed to evaluate the inoculation effect with A. brasilense and varying nitrogen fertilization levels on the yield and quality of purple maize. The experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement and five replications. Treatments comprised two inoculation levels (control without inoculation and inoculation with A. brasilense) under five nitrogen doses (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg∙ha⁻¹, applied as urea). Inoculation with A. brasilense resulted in a 10.5% increase in plant height, a 16.7% increase in root length, a 21.3% increase in aboveground fresh biomass, a 30.1% increase in root fresh biomass, and a 27.7% increase in leaf nitrogen concentration compared to the non-inoculated control. Regarding yield, the inoculated plants surpassed the control in both purple maize yield (kg∙ha⁻¹) and cob weight by 21.8% and 11.6%, respectively. Across all fertilization levels and parameters assessed, the inoculated treatments outperformed the control. Furthermore, for parameters, namely plant height, leaf nitrogen content, and cob dimensions (length, diameter, and weight), the A. brasilense inoculation treatment with 90 kg N∙ha⁻¹ was statistically equivalent or superior to the non-inoculated control with 120 kg N∙ha⁻¹. These results indicate that inoculation with A. brasilense positively impacted purple maize at all nitrogen levels tested and improved nitrogen use efficiency, enabling a reduction of 30 kg N∙ha⁻¹ without compromising performance in key parameters.

Strawberry cultivation requires strategies that maintain or improve its yield within a scheme in which reducing fertilizers and other chemical products can make its consumption safer and more environmentally friendly. This study aims to evaluate the effect of Bacillus subtilis and Rhizophagus intraradices on strawberry growth, yield, and fruit quality. B. subtilis and R. intraradices were inoculated and co-inoculated under three fertilization levels of 225-100-250, 112-50-125, and 0-0-0 kg∙ha⁻¹ of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O. Vegetative growth was evaluated in plant height (cm), leaf area (cm²), aerial fresh weight (g), aerial dry weight (g), and plant coverage (%) variables. Fruit quality parameters such as total acidity (g∙100 mL⁻¹), soluble solids (Brix°), and firmness (kg) were also determined, as well as the number of fruits per m² and yield (t∙ha⁻¹). The results showed that the pre-treatment of root immersion in a nutrient solution with B. subtilis and the fractionation of 6 L B. subtilis inoculation per plant at a concentration of 10⁷ CFU∙mL⁻¹, in combination with 225-100-250 kg∙ha⁻¹ of N, P₂O_5, and K₂O, achieved the highest accumulation of dry matter (12.9 ± 1.9 g∙plant⁻¹), the highest number of fruits (28.2 ± 4.5 fruits∙m⁻²), and the highest yield (7.2 ± 1.4 t∙ha⁻¹). In addition, this treatment increased the soluble sugar content by 34.78% and fruit firmness by 26.54% compared to the control without inoculation. This study highlights the synergistic effect of mineral nutrition and microbial inoculation with B. subtilis in increasing strawberry yield and fruit quality.

Strawberry cultivation holds significant economic and social promise within Peruvian fruit production. However, conventional management practices have led to the excessive use of agrochemicals in this crop. This study proposes an organic approach to strawberry production, integrating less environmentally harmful technologies. The aim was to assess microbial inoculation by using Trichoderma sp. and Pseudomonas putida and the application of organic amendments on strawberry seedlings of the commercial cultivar “San Andreas”. A field experiment was established with evaluations in the vegetative and productive stages. Results indicate that the co-inoculation of Trichoderma sp. and Pseudomonas putida increased leaf area by 7%, and enhanced the aerial part’s fresh and dry biomass by 13% and 28%, respectively, compared to treatment without microbial inoculation. Concurrently, compost application increased the leaf number and aerial dry biomass by 22% and 19% at the end of the vegetative stage, respectively, compared to treatment without organic amendment. In addition, it reduced the days for flowering, maintaining the fruit’s physicochemical attributes. Regarding yield, the amendments application significantly enhanced fruit weight per plant by 40%, especially when applied together with Trichoderma sp., and co-inoculation increased the number of fruits per meter square by 22%. These findings highlight the potential of technologies such as microbial inoculation and organic amendments to enhance strawberry yields and to gradually reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers.

Hard yellow maize is a crucial crop in Peruvian agriculture that plays a significant role in food security and livestock production. However, intensive fertilization practices in agronomic management have negatively impacted soil health. To explore more sustainable agricultural technologies, researchers investigated solutions using microorganisms to enhance plant growth. This study assessed the synergistic effects of microbial inoculants and mineral fertilization on INIA 619 and Dekal B-7088 maize varieties’ yield and nutritional quality. A split-plot design was employed, incorporating four inoculation treatments—no inoculant, Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma viride, and Pseudomonas putida—combined with fertilization levels of 0%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. The findings revealed that Bacillus subtilis boosted yields by 13.1% in INIA 619 and 55.5% in Dekal B-7088. Additionally, combined with 100% fertilization, microbial inoculation increased protein content by 47% and carbohydrates by 6% in INIA 619 while maintaining nutritional quality with 75% fertilization. Similarly, in Dekal B-7088, inoculation with total fertilization enhanced protein content by 54% and fiber by 27%. These results demonstrated that microbial inoculation could reduce mineral fertilization by up to 25% while sustaining high yields and improving the nutritional quality of maize.

Hard yellow maize is a crucial crop in Peruvian agriculture, playing a significant role in food security and livestock production. However, intensive fertilization practices in agronomic management have negatively impacted soil health. To explore more sustainable agricultural technologies, researchers have investigated using microorganisms to enhance plant growth. This study assessed the synergistic effects of microbial inoculants and mineral fertilization on INIA 619 and Dekal B-7088 maize varieties' yield and nutritional quality. A split-plot design was employed, incorporating four inoculation treatments—no inoculant, Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma viride, and Pseudomonas putida—combined with fertilization levels of 0%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. The findings revealed that Bacillus subtilis boosted yields by 13.1% in INIA 619 and 55.5% in Dekal B-7088. Additionally, combined with 100% fertilization, microbial inoculation increased protein content by 47% and carbohydrates by 6% in INIA 619, while maintaining nutritional quality with 75% fertilization. Similarly, in Dekal B-7088, inoculation with total fertilization enhanced protein content by 54% and fiber by 27%. These results demonstrate that microbial inoculation can reduce mineral fertilization by up to 25% while sustaining high yields and improving the nutritional quality of maize.