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. 2025 Feb 3;20(2):e0311400.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311400. eCollection 2025.

Plant growth-promoting microorganisms as natural stimulators of nitrogen uptake in citrus

Ana Pérez-Piqueres  1 , Belén Martínez-Alcántara  1 , Rodolfo Canet  1 , Raquel Del Val  2 , Ana Quiñones  1
Affiliations

Plant growth-promoting microorganisms as natural stimulators of nitrogen uptake in citrus

Ana Pérez-Piqueres et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Improving nitrogen uptake efficiency by citrus in Mediterranean areas, where this crop predominates, is crucial for reducing ground-water pollution and enhancing environmental sustainability. This aligns with the Farm to Fork Strategy (European Green Deal) objectives, which aim to reduce the use of mineral fertilizers by up to 20% and to eliminate soil contamination from nitrogen entirely. In this context, exploring the potential of plant growth-promoting bacteria application to reduce nutrient inputs is a promising opportunity. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two Bacillus subtilis strains either individually inoculated or in combination with Saccharomyces cerevisiae on 15N-labeled fertilizer uptake efficiency and physiological parameters. Individual inoculations positively affected tree water potential, leaf chlorophyll concentrations (SPAD-values) and photosynthetic performance, enhancing tree growth. Fertilizer-15N use efficiency increased, as did phosphorus and potassium uptakes. Conversely, no response was observed in the trees co-inoculated with S cerevisiae. Therefore, PGPB can be considered an interesting means to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers in citrus orchards, minimizing the environmental impact and promoting sustainable production practices.

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Conflict of interest statement

Raquel del Val was employed by IAB, Investigaciones y Aplicaciones Biotecnológicas, S.L The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any potential conflict of interest. The commercial affiliation of R.V. does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Distribution of dry biomass in the main organs of trees harvested in December (at dormancy).
C: Control; BSF1: Inoculation with B. subtilis strain IABBSF1; BS03: Inoculation with B. subtilis strain IABBS03; BioF: Inoculation with B. subtilis strains IABBSF1 and IABBS03 combined with S. cerevisiae. Values are means (n = 6) of measurements of each treatment. Values followed by the same letter are not significantly different according to LSD Multiple Range Test at the 0.05 level of probability.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Nitrogen derived from fertilizer (Ndff, %) in the main organs of trees harvested in December (at dormancy).
C: Control; BSF1: Inoculation with B. subtilis strain IABBSF1; BS03: Inoculation with B. subtilis strain IABBS03; BioF: Inoculation with B. subtilis strains IABBSF1 and IABBS03 combined with S. cerevisiae. Values are means (n = 6) of measurements of each treatment. Values followed by the same letter are not significantly different according to LSD Multiple Range Test at the 0.05 level of probability.
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References

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