Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. 1 (2026)

Smart bio-mineral integration to enhance sorghum productivity in gypsiferous soils

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.12742
Submitted
14 November 2025
Published
29-01-2026 — Updated on 05-02-2026
Versions

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of bacterial biofertilizers (Azotobacter and Bacillus) integrated with phosphate mineral fertilizer (DAP), while keeping nitrogen fertilizer (urea) constant across all treatments, on the growth and yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) cultivated in gypsiferous soils in Iraq. This study was conducted in 2025 in a gypsiferous soil region of Iraq, where nutrient limitations particularly nitrogen and phosphorus reduce sorghum productivity. The site conditions reflect the broader challenges facing cereal cultivation in degraded soils. Therefore, the experiment provided a realistic platform to assess the effectiveness of integrating biofertilizers with mineral fertilizers in improving crop performance under such conditions. The field experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with ten treatments and three replications. Measurements included plant height, leaf number, chlorophyll content, days to 50 % flowering, 1000-grain weight, grain number per head, grain yield per plant and grain yield per hectare. Results showed that the treatment combining compost with biofertilizer achieved the highest plant height (295.3 cm), chlorophyll content (57.3 SPAD) and grain yield (5.69 t ha-1). It also recorded superior yield components, including the greatest 1000-grain weight and seed number per head, reflecting a marked improvement in both vegetative vigour and reproductive efficiency. The findings suggest that the integration of mineral fertilizer and bacterial inoculants is an effective strategy to improve sorghum productivity in gypsiferous soils, addressing a research gap given the scarcity of such studies under Iraqi conditions.

References

  1. 1. Just BS, Kumar A, Devi R, Patel M. Biofertilization increases soil organic carbon concentrations: a meta-analysis. Plant Sci Today. 2024;11(3). https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.3094
  2. 2. Tariq M, Saleem S, Ashraf M. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria improve nutrient uptake, physiological traits and yield of cereal crops under degraded soils: a review. Rhizosphere. 2023;27:100678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhisph.2023.100678
  3. 3. Li L, Zhang R, Wang J, Chen X, Liu Y. Enhancing plant growth in biofertilizer-amended soil through microbial agents: mechanisms and nutrient cycling. Front Plant Sci. 2023;14:1259853. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1259853
  4. 4. Samantaray A. Advances in microbial-based bio-inoculum for amelioration of agricultural soils. Curr Res Microb Sci. 2024;7:100251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100251
  5. 5. Dzvene AR, Ndlovu P, Chikuvire T. Application of biofertilizers for enhancing beneficial microbial function in marginal soils. Microb Cell Fact. 2024;3(4):18. https://doi.org/10.3390/bacteria3040018
  6. 6. Dębska B, Długosz J, Piotrowska-Długosz A, Banach-Szott M. The impact of a bio-fertilizer on the soil organic matter status and carbon sequestration-results from a field-scale study. J Soils Sediments. 2016;16:2335–43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-016-1430-5
  7. 7. Bhardwaj D, Ansari MW, Sahoo RK, Tuteja N. Biofertilizers: their functioning and potential in sustainable agriculture. Microb Cell Fact. 2014;13:66. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2859-13-66
  8. 8. Sharma A, Singh P, Verma S, Gupta R. Integrated use of bio-inoculants and biochar as a strategy for marginal soil improvement. J Environ Prot. 2023;13(1):15–23.
  9. 9. Nie M, Hu J, Liu H, Wang G. Short-term organic fertilizer substitution increases sorghum yield. Sci Rep. 2024;14:11581943.
  10. 10. Aliyu IA, Yusuf AA, Adegbite AA. Biofertilizers as sustainable tools for improving soil fertility and crop productivity: recent advances and future prospects. Agronomy. 2024;14(6):1235. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061235
  11. 11. Bhattacharyya PN, Kumar BN. Biofertilizers and their role in sustainable agriculture: a comprehensive review. Front Microbiol. 2022;13:826492.
  12. 12. Ahmad W, Nepal J, Zou Z, Munsif F, Khan A, Ahmad I, et al. Biochar particle size coupled with biofertilizer enhances soil carbon-nitrogen microbial pools and CO₂ sequestration in lentil. Front Environ Sci. 2023;11:1114728. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1114728
  13. 13. FAO. Biofertilizers: definition and applications. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Rome; 2019.
  14. 14. Glick BR. Plant growth-promoting bacteria: mechanisms and applications. Scientifica. 2012;2012:963401. https://doi.org/10.6064/2012/963401
  15. 15. Sabra AO, Hegazy H, El-Sayed M. Azotobacter and nitrogen fertilizer effects on sorghum yield. SABRAO J Breed Genet. 2003;55(4):1311–20.
  16. 16. Ali M, Khan A, Shah ST, Ullah S. Effect of Azotobacter inoculation on growth and yield of sorghum. Agronomy. 2022;12(3):455.
  17. 17. Kumar R, Singh P, Yadav S. Integrated use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and mineral fertilizers in cereal crops. Plant Soil Environ. 2023;69(5):233–42.
  18. 18. Gupta R, Sharma P, Singh A. Phosphate-solubilizing Bacillus spp. enhance growth and nutrient acquisition in sorghum grown under nutrient-limited soils. Appl Soil Ecol. 2024;194:105243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2023.105243
  19. 19. Prasad M, Srinivasan R, Chaudhary M. Biofertilizers as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fertilizers: a review. Sustain Agric Rev. 2021;50:321–39.
  20. 20. Alori ET, Glick BR, Babalola OO. Role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in improving cereal yields under stress conditions. Rhizosphere. 2022;21:100460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhisph.2021.100460
  21. 21. Chaudhary P, Singh R, Verma JP. Biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture: mechanisms, recent trends and future directions. Front Microbiol. 2023;14:1182457.
  22. 22. United States Department of Agriculture. Fertilizer recommendations for grain sorghum. Washington (DC): USDA; 2023.
  23. 23. Sahu PK, Meena KK, Krishnani S. Microbial biofertilizers for sustainable soil health and nutrient cycling: recent advances and future prospects. Front Microbiol. 2024;15:1335072.
  24. 24. Dos Reis GA, Martínez-Burgos WJ, Pozzan MJ. Comprehensive review of microbial inoculants: agricultural applications, technology trends and regulatory frameworks. Sustainability. 2024;16(19):8720. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198720
  25. 25. Kumar S. Biofertilizers: an ecofriendly technology for nutrient supply and sustainable agriculture. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2022;29:50285–309.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.