CONSÓRCIOS MICROBIANOS NO TRATAMENTO DE SEMENTES: EFEITOS NO ENCHIMENTO DE GRÃOS E PRODUTIVIDADE DO MILHO

Abstract

The use of bioinputs in seed treatment has emerged as a strategy to improve the physiological and productive performance of maize, especially in high-yielding systems. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of combinations of Trichoderma asperellum and Bacillus subtilis applied through seed treatment and foliar application on agronomic traits, yield components, and productivity. The experiment was established in a randomized complete block design with five treatments: chemical standard (ST1); standard + T. asperellum (ST2); standard + B. subtilis (ST3); standard + both microorganisms (ST4); and ST4 supplemented with foliar applications of B. subtilis (ST5). Statistical analyses included mixed models via REML, BLUP estimates, LASSO regression, and the Ideotype Distance Index (IDI). Most structural variables showed low responsiveness to the management strategies, whereas thousand-seed weight (TSW) and grain yield (YLD) were highly sensitive to the treatments. Treatment ST4 showed the best multivariate performance, associated with greater grain filling and yield, while ST5 was the farthest from the ideotype. It is concluded that microbial consortia applied via seed treatment have the potential to improve maize physiological performance, particularly for attributes directly related to productivity.