Forage production of Tifton 85 inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas fluorescens and associated to reduced nitrogen fertilization

Abstract

In southern Brazil, the Tifton 85 cultivar (C. dactylon X Cynodon nlemfuensis cv. Tifton 68) is widely used; however, it has a high dependency on nitrogen fertilization. Due to the high costs of fertilizers, strategies for more efficient nutrient use have been researched, such as the use of plant growth-promoting microorganisms. In this context, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the development of the Tifton 85 cultivar under reduced nitrogen fertilization associated with the inoculation of Azospirillum brasilense 2083 and 2084 and Pseudomonas fluorescens strain 2799. The production of fresh and dry forage mass, as well as protein and nitrogen contents, were evaluated. The treatment with 25% N + P. fluorescens had similar performance with 100% N regarding all variables, indicating a reduction in fertilization costs through the inoculation with this microorganism, while maintaining the same forage production levels.