Effects of and on the root and soil microbiomes of the soybean plant INTACTA RR2 PRO™.

INTRODUCTION

Soybean is a significant export product for several countries, including the United States and Brazil. There are numerous varieties of soybean. Among them, a genetically modified type known as INTACTA RR2 PRO™ has been designed to demonstrate resistance to glyphosate and to produce toxins that are lethal to several species of caterpillars. Limited information is available on the use of and to promote plant growth and their impact on the plant microbiome.

METHODS

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of these microorganisms on this soybean cultivar by analyzing parameters, such as root and shoot dry matter, nutritional status, and root and soil microbial diversity.

RESULTS

The results indicated that treatments with alone or in combination with as seed or seed and soil applications significantly enhanced plant height and biomass compared to the other treatments and the control. No significant differences in phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations were detected across treatments, although some treatments showed close correlations with these nutrients. Microbial inoculations slightly influenced the soil and root microbiomes, with significant beta diversity differences between soil and root environments, but had a limited overall impact on community composition.

DISCUSSION

The combined application of and particularly enhanced plant growth and promoted plant-associated microbial groups, such as Rhizobiaceae, optimizing plant-microbe interactions. Furthermore, the treatments resulted in a slight reduction in fungal richness and diversity.