427 Digestibility and N-use efficiency of bermudagrass treated with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria or N fertilizer. (7th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gunter, P; Fike, C; Held, D; Wagner, E; Muntifering, R
• Is Part Of: Journal of animal science. Volume 96(2018)Supplement 3
• Page Start: 210
• Page End: 211
• Publication Date: 2018-12-07
• Subjects: PGPR -- Bermudagrass -- Nitrogen-Use Efficiency; Livestock -- Periodicals; Livestock; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 636.005
• DOI: 10.1093/jas/sky404.456
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8812

Abstract

Abstract: Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are non-pathogenic soil bacteria that aggressively colonize plant roots and promote root and aboveground growth. Some PGPR strains are reported to increase nutrient uptake, pest resistance and drought tolerance. Biofertilization with PGPR may provide an alternative to N fertilization for forage production. The objective of this study was to evaluate digestibility and N-use efficiency (NUE) of Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) treated with N fertilizer or a pre-screened batch of select PGPR strains. Bermudagrass sod was established in 52 pots (0.09 mP < 0.0001) for the negative control (55.84) and PGPR (56.38), intermediate for full-rate N (51.17), and least for half-rate N (45.52). Concentration of CP did not differ (P = 0.3423) among treatments and averaged 6.19%. Nitrogen-use efficiency (% of applied N recovered in forage) was greatest (P < 0.0001) for control (36.81) and PGPR (35.15), intermediate for half-rate N (19.07), and least for full-rate N (13.75). Results are interpreted to mean that PGPR application increased forage DM digestibility and improved NUE compared with N fertilization.