Effects of co-inoculation with Bradyrhizobium and Trichoderma harzianum on soybean nitrogen nutrition and multispectral traits
Kajić S. Živković L. Lazerević B. Borovec P. Novak A. Mutaliyeva B. Turebayeva T. Madybekova G. Vinceković M.
August 2025Elsevier B.V.
Environmental Technology and Innovation
2025#39
This study evaluates the potential of co-encapsulated native Bradyrhizobium spp. strains and Trichoderma harzianum T1, delivered via biodegradable microparticles, to enhance growth, nitrogen uptake, and physiological performance in soybean (Glycine max L.). The microbial consortium was applied to soybean roots to assess synergistic effects on biological nitrogen fixation and plant development. Native Bradyrhizobium strains exhibited high tolerance to environmental stressors, including elevated temperatures, low pH, and salinity, and all produced indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), supporting their role as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. The most effective strains in improving nitrogen content were S1, S2, and S3, while S5, S4, and S3 were most effective in promoting dry biomass accumulation. Inoculation with T. harzianum increased shoot nitrogen content by an average of 0.2 % over rhizobial-only treatments. Co-inoculation with T. harzianum and specific rhizobial strains (S1, S4, S6) led to synergistic effects, significantly enhancing plant dry weight, nodule biomass, and multispectral traits. Multispectral imaging, combined with principal component analysis, revealed treatment-specific physiological responses that were not evident from biomass or nitrogen measurements alone, highlighting its sensitivity in detecting microbial effects on plant health. These findings support the application of encapsulated microbial consortia as a sustainable strategy to improve soybean productivity under diverse environmental conditions.
Bradyrhizobium , Co-inoculation , Encapsulation , Multispectral analyses , Soybean , Trichoderma harzianum T1
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Department of Microbiology, University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia
Department of Chemistry, University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia
Department od Plant Nutrition, University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia
Centre for Plant Protection, Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia
Biotechnology Department, M. Auezov South-Kazakhstan University, Shymkent, Tauke-Khan, 160000, Kazakhstan
Chemistry Department, O. Zhanibekov South-Kazakhstan Pedagogical University, Shymkent, 160000, Kazakhstan
Department of Microbiology
Department of Chemistry
Department od Plant Nutrition
Centre for Plant Protection
Biotechnology Department
Chemistry Department
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