Improving Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Production through the Use of Azospirillum sp. AZ6 and Trichoderma harzianum T4-Based Biostimulants

Objectives: The objective(s) of the present experiment was to evaluate the effect of Azospirillum sp. AZ6 and Trichoderma harzianum T4-based biostimulants formulated in Mali on the growth and yield of Sorghum in Mali field during monsoon season. Study Design: The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with three treatments. The blocking factor was the direction of rainwater runoff. Methodology: The study was carried out in the rural commune of Ouéléssebougou located in the Sudanian. The sorghum seeds inoculated or non-inoculated with Azozpirillum sp. AZ6, Trichoderma harzianum T4, were randomly sown in single-cropped with no nitrogen (N) application. For the control, 100% dose of N was applied at sowing time at 120 kg/ha. Sorghum plant height, sorghum yield, number of panicles and the weight of 1000 grains weight were evaluated. Results: The salient findings showed a significant increase of the parameters examined by Azospirillum sp. AZ6 and Trichoderma harzianum T4-based biostimulants. Inoculation of AZ6 improved sorghum yield by 68,25%, while T4 by 8.73% in comparison with the control. Conclusion: It is evident that Azospirillum sp. AZ6 and Trichoderma harzianum T4 are suitable for inoculating sorghum (Sorghum bicolore L.). Azospirillum sp. AZ6 produced the highest plant height, yield, number of panicles, and 1000 grain weight relative to Trichoderma harzianum T4 and the non-inoculated control. Therefore, this suggest that Azospirillum sp. AZ6 is suitable for large scale application in sorghum fields to reduce the production costs and increase yield while reducing N fertilizer application rate