The Influence of Paenibacillus Mucilaginosus and Biomass Ash on the Yield of Maize under Different Doses of Nitrogen Fertilization

Presented results of greenhouse pot experiment are focused on a possible use of Paenibacillus mucilaginosus (MUCI) for the purpose of plant growth promotion. Plants of maize (Zea mays var. Colisee) were planted on plain soil and soil amended by wood ash. Treatments with and without MUCI inoculation were set up. Plants were harvested after six weeks of growth, above-ground biomass yield and nutrient concentration in the biomass were determined. MUCI negatively affected the yield of maize biomass on plain soil treatments without N and with high doses of N fertilizer. In wood ash treatments, the negative effect of MUCI was found only when no nitrogen was applied. Moreover, MUCI had significant effect on the concentrations of Ca, S, Fe, Mn and Cu. The only nutrients found under the deficiency were of S and Fe. This leads to the suggestion that MUCI is able to immobilize substantial amount of N which may result in a decrease in crop yield under low N status. When additional nitrogen is applied, deficiencies of other nutrients may occur.