Analyses of genetic variability and genotype x cyanobacteria interactions in biofortified maize (Zea mays L.) for their responses to plant growth and physiological attributes

Microbe-mediated enrichment of crops has emerged as an environment-friendly intervention to tackle the problems of eroding soil fertility and malnutrition globally. The responses of a set of ten biofortified maize genotypes to three cyanobacterial inoculants (cyanobacterial consortium BF1-4, Anabaena sp.-Trichoderma sp. biofilm-An-Tr and Anabaena sp.+ Providencia sp. -CR1 + PR3) were evaluated over a period of two years. Significant genetic variation existed among the maize inbreds for all soil microbial parameters, soil macronutrients (N and P) and micronutrients (Mn and Zn), besides physiological and nutritional quality traits. Genotype x Inoculants interaction was more significant for soil glomalin (32 %), organic carbon (26 %), soil polysaccharides (20 %) and soil available N (18 %). Genotype x inoculants x environment (years) interactions significantly influenced available Zn (36 %), organic carbon (31 %), glomalin (30 %), available N (20 %) and polysaccharides (20 %). Promising genotype-inoculant combinations of PMI-Q2+ BF1-4 or An-Tr, PMI-PV2+BF1-4 or CR1 + PR3, HP-467-13 + BF 1-4 or An-Tr were identified, which can be evaluated across agro-ecologies. It was concluded that cyanobacterial inoculation can lead to N savings, improved soil fertility and enhanced crop vigor in maize.