Effect of three microbial consortia in corn (Zea mays L.) in Villaflores, Chiapas

Abstract

The present research was carried out with the aim of evaluating the effect of mountain microorganisms (MM) on growth variables and biomass production of the corn agroecosystem under agroecological management in Villaflores, Chiapas, Mexico. The microbial consortia were elaborated by the technique of reproduction and activation of MM and three different treatments were obtained: MM₁ (“La Frailescana” Natural Resources Protection Area), MM₂ (“La Sepultura” Biosphere Reserve), MM₃ (Cerro Nambiyuguá, Villaflores municipality); and a control equivalent to the chemical fertilizer (compost + ammonium sulfate). A 4X4 latin square experimental design was used and the application of the microbial consortia was carried out at 20 and 50 days after sowing (DDS, by its acronym in spanish) with concentrations of 50% (Sol. 50% concentrated MM + 50% water) and at 60 DDS at 75% (Sol. 75 % MM concentrate + 25% water). At 35 DDS and 60 DDS, MM₃ obtained significantly greater effects on the crop than the other treatments, in the case of the plant height variable. At 60 DDS, MM₂ equaled MM₃ and the control with stem diameter values ​​ranging between 1.99 and 2.08 cm. The highest global dry biomass production was maintained in the MM₃ treatment. The MM₃ treatment, whose source of inoculum comes from the site closest to the region of the experimental area, obtained greater effects on the growth indicators and biomass production.