Synergistic effects of microbial bioinoculants on root development of purple corn (Zea mays L.) varieties

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25127/agrops.20252.1088

Keywords:

Maíz morado, bioinoculantes, azospirillum brasilense, glomus iranicum, fenotipo de raíz

Abstract

Purple corn (Zea mays L.), native to the Peruvian Andes, stands out for its high anthocyanin content, which gives it a growing nutraceutical value in global markets. However, its cultivation in high Andean areas often depends on the intensive use of synthetic fertilizers, compromising soil sustainability. This study evaluated how individual and combined bioinoculation with Azospirillum brasilense and Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum influence root morpho-physiological traits in five contrasting varieties of purple corn grown in the Ayacucho region (2735 m a.s.l.). A randomized complete block design with four bioinoculation treatments was applied. Dry weight, length, volume, diameter and number of root branches were measured. Microbial co-inoculation generated highly significant differences (p < 0.0001) in all parameters evaluated with respect to the control. In particular, it doubled root volume (28.0 ± 0.41 cm³), tripled dry weight (180.29 ± 8.51 g) and significantly improved length (31.81 ± 0.48 cm), diameter (128.36 ± 2.3 mm) and number of ramifications (27.28 ± 0.66), outperforming both individual inoculations and the control (Tukey, p < 0.05). The results confirm that rhizobacteria-mycorrhizal co-inoculation significantly improves root system architecture, enhancing nutrient uptake. Thus, co-inoculation represents an effective agroecological strategy to optimize purple corn yield and reduce dependence on synthetic inputs in high Andean contexts.

Published

2025-06-30

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Section

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How to Cite

Synergistic effects of microbial bioinoculants on root development of purple corn (Zea mays L.) varieties. (2025). Revista De Investigación De Agroproducción Sustentable, 6(2), 59-68. https://doi.org/10.25127/agrops.20252.1088

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