Efficacy of Trichoderma Harzianum and Bacillus Subtilis as Seed and Vegetation Application Combined with Integrated Agroecology Measures on Maize

Abstract

In the context of sustainable practices and European strategy to reduce the chemical inputs in agricultural conventional systems, on field crops there are approached agroecological practices that targets the performance growing through effective measures that adjust the biodiversity of agroecosystems. The study presents the results of a field experience developed in a farmer participative approach on two years (2021, 2022). In his farm - from Buești, Ialomița, România - were established 30 multifactorial testing varieties composed from treatment with a special product for maize crop (BioZeaFert: BF) from Bacillus subtilis ICCF 84: 25%; Bacillus subtilis 284: 25%; Trichoderma harzianum ICCF 179: 50%. The treatments have been applied on seeds (Untreated, BF 10%, BF 20%, BF 30%, CuSO4 10%) and on vegetation period (Untreated, BF 75g/ha, BF 112.5 g/ha, BF 225 g/ha, CuSO4 300g/ha) for 3 maize hybrids (Iezer, Felix, F 423). Also has been integrated in his crop technology cover crops and the using of organic agriculture inputs. The application of the product and agroecological measures had positive effects regarding the protection against pest Tanymecus dilaticollis. The damage degree was 16-19% in the untreated maize, while for the treated maize it was between 6-11%, the lowest values were observed for BF 30% on Iezer hybrid. The biostimulator had positive effects on plant growth and therefore on yield. The treatments or the type of hybrids did not influenced the weeding degree.