Trichoderma endophyticum to promote the growth and productivity of soybean

ABSTRACT: Soybeans are one of the world’s main commodities, and Brazil is one of the largest producers. Conversely, their cultivation depends on climate, management, and the environment. To improve productivity, soybean grains are inoculated with inoculants based on nitrogen-fixing microorganisms that promote soybean growth. This study evaluated the effect of Trichoderma endophyticum as a promoter of growth and grain yield in soybean crop. Experiments were installed in Ponta Grossa - PR, Paranapanema - SP, Bandeirantes - PR, and Paranavaí - PR, in the 2020/2021 harvest. The tests were conducted using a randomized block experimental design and the treatments were applied via seed. The treatments applied were: 1: Control; 2: Co-Mo Platinum (150 mL.50 kg seeds-1); 3: ICB Nutrisolo Trichoderma (100 mL.ha-1); 4: Endophytus Inoculant (dose 50 g.50 kg seeds-1); 5: Endophytus Inoculant (100 g.50 kg seeds-1); 6: Endophytus Inoculant (150 g. 50 kg seeds-1); and 7: Endophytus Inoculant 200 g.50 kg seeds-1). Results showed that the inoculant Endophytus applied via seed positively impacted the growth of soybean plants and did not cause any symptoms of phytotoxicity. The dose of 200 g. 50 kg seeds-1 presented a more constant result in most of the analyzed variables when compared to controls, in the four places, with gains in the analyzed parameters according to the application of the Endophytus inoculant, providing increases of up to 13.63 % in grain yield compared to the control without inoculation. Given the results presented, it is recommended to use the inoculant Endophytus as a plant growth promoter and increase productivity.