Appropriately using phosphorus (P) for the fertilization of sugarcane is critical to achieving high productivity because it is one of the most limiting nutrients in agricultural cropping systems. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the morphological, biochemical, and yield responses of sugarcane, and the soil microbial–chemical properties, under the use of organomineral fertilizer (OF) associated or not with Bacillus velezensis strain UFV 3918 (B) combined with mono ammonium phosphate (MAP) doses. The experimental design used was completely randomized, consisting of eight treatments [Control (3/3 MAP); OF (without MAP); OF + 1/3 MAP; OF + 2/3 MAP; OF + 3/3 MAP; B + OF + 1/3 MAP; B + OF + 2/3 MAP; B + OF + 3/3 MAP] and four replicates. B + OF + 1/3 MAP provided increases in accumulated soil basal respiration (11.9%), carbon of microbial biomass (35.9%), fluorescein diacetate (12.7%), arylsulfatase (25.5%), and acid phosphatase (10.1%) activity compared to the control, which implied in higher shoot and total biomass. These results present a potential strategy for sugarcane fertilization, using bacteria in combination with OF to improve P nutrition and growth in sugarcane with reduced economic and environmental impact.

Sugarcane plays a crucial role in global sugar and ethanol production. Conventionally, sugarcane propagation involves planting billets. However, Brazilian researchers have introduced the innovative pre-sprouted seedlings (PSS) method, widely used in the MEIOSI (Simultaneously Occurring Interrotational Method) system. Although PSS has several advantages over the conventional method, its sensitivity to water scarcity is a challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the survival and growth of PSS inoculated with Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis (PGPB) under different water regimes. The experiment was conducted in the field in a randomized block in strips (split-block) using a 2 × 4 factorial scheme consisting of two inoculation conditions (with and without PGPB) and four water regimes (WR) (0%, 33%, 66%, and 100% of the ideal irrigation). PGPB increased PSS survival (4.17%) and water use efficiency (185.10% under the 0% WR). In addition, inoculation increased root (12.5%, 7.7%, and 16.2% for surface area, area projection, and root volume, respectively) and shoot growth. PGPB also increased nutrient uptake, such as N (60.8% and 18.3% under 0% and 66% WR), P (on average 11.7%), Mn (27.6% and 28.7% under 66% and 100% WR), Zn (111.4% under 0% WR), and Cu accumulation (27.17%), which provided a higher number of stalks per meter and, therefore, a higher multiplication rate in the MEIOSI system. Inoculation proved to be a promising alternative for PSS establishing under water restriction.

Phosphorus (P) is essential for sugarcane growth but often presents low agricultural use efficiency. This research evaluated the effects of Bacillus velezensis UFV 3918 (Bv), applied alone or with monoammonium phosphate (MAP), on sugarcane’s physiological, biochemical, and biomass variables. Six treatments were tested in a completely randomized design: absolute control (AC), commercial control (CC, full MAP dose), Bv alone, and Bv combined with 1/3, 2/3, or full MAP dose. B. velezensis (Bv) and Bv + 1/3 MAP increased soil P availability by 22%, correlating strongly with physiological, biochemical, and shoot biomass variables. These treatments boosted total chlorophyll content (11.4%), electron transport rate (28.5%), and photochemical quenching (16.9%), resulting in higher photosynthetic efficiency. Compared with CC, net CO₂ assimilation, stomatal conductance, and carboxylation efficiency increased by 49.0%, 35.4%, and 72.9%, respectively. Additionally, amino acid content and leaf acid phosphatase activity rose by 12.1% and 13.8%. Key traits associated with biomass production included stomatal density (abaxial face), chlorophyll content, electron transport rate, intercellular CO₂ concentration, and leaf acid phosphatase activity. The results highlight the potential of Bv UFV 3918, particularly with reduced MAP doses, to improve sugarcane photosynthesis and biomass accumulation, offering a sustainable and cost-effective fertilization strategy.

Sugarcane is a key crop in the global energy transition. However, phosphorus (P) is highly retained in tropical soils, which restricts its availability for sugarcane growth. Sustainable agricultural practices, such as microbial inoculants and organomineral fertilizers (OFs), offer promising alternatives to improve P management, a nutrient essential for plant development. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of Bacillus velezensis UFV 3918 ( Bv ) and OF, applied with different doses of monoammonium phosphate (MAP), on root morphology, soil fertility, and sugarcane nutrition. The experiment followed a completely randomized design with eight treatments: control (100% of the recommended MAP dose), OF alone, OF combined with 1/3, 2/3, or 3/3 MAP, and Bv + OF combined with 1/3, 2/3, or 3/3 MAP. Applying Bv + OF with conventional P fertilization increased soil P content by 41% and P uptake by 15% compared with the control. It also enhanced N and K concentrations in the shoot by 14% and 5%, respectively, due to 28% and 15% greater uptake of these nutrients. Moreover, Bv + OF + 1/3 MAP achieved soil and shoot P content, phosphorus use efficiency, and phosphorus accumulation similar to commercial fertilization (100% MAP). These findings highlight Bv + OF as an efficient strategy to reduce phosphate fertilizer input in sugarcane cultivation by up to 66%, lowering economic costs and environmental impacts while maintaining adequate plant nutrition.

Sugarcane plays a crucial role in global sugar and ethanol production. Conventionally, sugar-cane propagation involves planting billets. However, Brazilian researchers have introduced the innovative pre-sprouted seedlings (PSS) method, widely used in the MEIOSI (Simultaneously Occurring Interrotational Method) system. Although MPB has several advantages over the con-ventional method, its sensitivity to water scarcity is a challenge. The study aimed to evaluate the survival and growth of PSS inoculated with Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis under differ-ent water regimes. The experiment was conducted in the field in a randomized block in strips (split-block) using a 2×4 factorial scheme consisting of two inoculation conditions (with and without bacteria) and four water regimes (0%, 33%, 66%, and 100% of the ideal irrigation). The bacteria increased the PSS's survival and water use efficiency in the field. In addition, inocula-tion increased root and shoot growth, as well as the nutrient uptake such as N, P, Mn, Zn, and Cu, which resulted in a higher number of stalks per meter and, therefore, a higher multiplica-tion rate in the MEIOSI system. Inoculation proved to be a promising alternative for establishing PSS under water restriction.

The use of Bacillus spp. in combination with mineral fertilizers represents a sustainable alternative to conventional agricultural practices. This study evaluated the effects of inoculation with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BV03 (Ba) on corn fertilized with phosphorus (P) sources of different solubilities. Two experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions in a completely randomized design, following a 2 (without and with Ba) × 4 [control (without P, –P), triple superphosphate (TSP), Bayóvar natural phosphate (BNP), and Pratápolis natural phosphate (PNP)] factorial arrangement. Plant growth parameters, chlorophyll a fluorescence, gas exchange, photosynthetic pigments, nutritional status, biomass accumulation, and grain yield were assessed. Corn responses to Ba inoculation varied with P source and season. Inoculation with Ba, Ba + TSP, and Ba + BNP at sowing enhanced biometric traits (height, stem diameter, and leaf area); physiological parameters (F_v’/F_m’, ΦPSII, ETR, E, g_s, WUE); biochemical variables (Chl a, Chl b, and carotenoids); nutritional contents (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg); and yield traits. Overall, our results highlight the potential of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BV03, alone or in combination with triple superphosphate or Bayóvar natural phosphate, as a sustainable alternative for phosphorus fertilization to improve corn growth and development.