Biostimulant Effects of in Hydroponic Spinach Production.

Using beneficial microorganisms as biostimulants is a promising strategy to enhance crop growth and productivity in hydroponic systems. has demonstrated plant growth-promoting effects in soil cultivation; however, its efficacy in hydroponic Deep-Water Culture (DWC) systems remains underexplored. This research evaluated the effect of strains TaMFP1 and TaMFP2 on the growth, nutrient uptake, and visual quality of hydroponically grown spinach cv. Stella Plus F-1 ( L.). A randomized complete design was used, comparing inoculated plants with a control and a commercial product. After 28 days, the results showed that significantly increased plant height (23.1%), collar diameter (21.8%), root length (39.6%), leaf area (22.0%), number of leaves (18.05), and fresh biomass accumulation (23.5%) compared to non-inoculated plants. Furthermore, inoculation with TaMFP1 improved spinach yield by 34.5%, while nutrient analysis indicated enhanced phosphorus and calcium uptake. No significant changes were observed in photosynthetic pigment concentrations, and the visual quality of the harvested spinach was unaffected. These findings highlight the potential of as a sustainable biostimulant in hydroponic spinach production. These results contribute to developing beneficial microorganism-based strategies to enhance the sustainability of hydroponic agriculture.