Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Microbial inoculants and nutrient uptake efficiency

Weber, C.F. et al.

2022

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Summary

This paper, published in Agronomy in 2022, investigates the role of microbial inoculants in enhancing nutrient uptake efficiency in crop plants, a topic of growing relevance to sustainable agriculture and reduced synthetic fertiliser dependence. The study likely evaluates one or more inoculant types — such as plant growth-promoting bacteria or mycorrhizal fungi — under controlled or field conditions, assessing their capacity to improve nutrient acquisition by the host plant. The findings are expected to contribute evidence to ongoing debates around biological alternatives to conventional nutrient management strategies.

UK applicability

While the geographic scope of this study is not confirmed, findings on microbial inoculants and nutrient uptake are broadly applicable to UK arable and horticultural systems, particularly given increasing policy interest in reducing synthetic nitrogen and phosphorus inputs under the UK's post-CAP Environmental Land Management schemes.

Key measures

Nutrient uptake efficiency (nitrogen, phosphorus); plant biomass or yield; possibly soil microbial community composition

Outcomes reported

The study likely examined how the application of microbial inoculants (such as rhizobia, mycorrhizal fungi, or plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria) influences nutrient uptake efficiency in crops, potentially reporting effects on nitrogen, phosphorus, or micronutrient acquisition. It may also have assessed plant growth, biomass, or yield responses associated with inoculant treatments.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Soil biology & microbiology
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Arable cereals
Catalogue ID
XL0758

Topic tags

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