Bacillus aryabhattai strain CMAA 1363 on Brachiaria brizantha development in four Brazilian regions

The use of plant growth-promoting microorganisms is a promising alternative to improve Brachiaria performance. The potential of a Bacillus aryabhattai (strain CMAA 1363) inoculant, applied via seed treatment, to promote Brachiaria brizantha growth was evaluated, comparing it to commercial Azospirillum brasilense (strains Ab-V5 and Ab-V6) in four regions. The design was randomized blocks with six treatments and four replications: control, four doses of B. aryabhattai (1, 2, 4, and 8 mL kg-1), and A. brasilense (20 mL kg-1). Emergence, plant height, number of tillers, shoot dry mass, leaf nitrogen content, and productivity were evaluated. Data underwent normality and homoscedasticity tests, were submitted to ANOVA, and means were compared by Duncan’s test (10%). Inoculation with strain CMAA 1363 caused no phytotoxicity, promoted growth (increases up to 4.5 cm in height, 1.1 tillers, and 39 g dry mass), increased leaf N content by up to 5.9 g kg-1, and, at doses of 4 to 8 mL kg-1, increased productivity by up to 27.2%, demonstrating potential as a new crop inoculant.