ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Using Biofertilizer to Improve Seed Germination
and Early Development of Maize
N. Bákonyi1, S. Bott2, É. Gajdos1, A. Szabó3, A. Jakab3, B. Tóth1, P. Makleit1, Sz. Veres1
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1Department of Botany and Crop Physiology, Institute of Crop Science,
Centre for Agricultural and Applied Economic Sciences, University of Debrecen,
H-4032 Debrecen, Böszörményi 138, Hungary
2Department of Nutritional Crop Physiology, Institute of Crop Science,
University of Hohenheim, D-70593 Stuttgart, Germany
3Institute of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, Centre for Agricultural and Applied Economic Sciences,
University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Böszörményi 138, Hungary
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2013;22(6):1595-1599
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
In this study, the effect of a living bacteria (Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum, Azotobacter
chroococcum) containing biofertilizer, made in Hungary, was investigated on the germination and dry matter
production of maize seedlings in germination tests. The biofertilizer was applied in concentrations of 1 ml·L-1
and 3.5 ml·L-1. Seed and filter paper treatments were used in the experiments, completed with autoclaved
biofertilizer treatment. Germination and weight of shoots and roots were evaluated. It was observed that the
seed-and-filter paper treatments with biofertilizer significantly increased – by more than 20% – the numbers
of the germinated seeds in comparison to the untreated control. The dry weight of the shoot and root was high-
er by more than 7% than the control in the case of treatments with biofertilizer. Based on this result, it was
concluded that there is a positive effect of PGPB on germination, as well as it is supposed, that the applied
biofertilizer treatments stimulated the germination and growth of maize by reason of excreting phytohormones
and enhancing the nutrient mobilization from the seed.