Effect of plant growth-promoting Bacillus sp on color and clipping yield of three turfgrass species

A two-year irrigated field study was conducted to determine the effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR; Bacillus subtilis OSU-142 and Bacillus megaterium M3) as biofertilizer, and in combination with a chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer, on turf color and clipping yield, and interaction of biofertilizer and chemical N fertilizers in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea L. Schreb.), and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.). The three turf species were tested separately in split-plot design experiments with three replications. Three fertilizer sources (ammonium nitrate only, ammonium nitrate + B. megaterium M3, and ammonium nitrate + B. subtilis OSU-142) were the main plots. N applications with monthly applications of 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5g N/m(2) were the subplots. Color ratings and clipping yields increased with increasing chemical N fertilizers in all species. Both Bacillus sp. significantly increased color ratings and clipping yields in perennial ryegrass and tall fescue. However, there were no significant differences among the three fertilizer sources in color and clipping yield of Kentucky bluegrass. The experiments showed that there is a small but significant benefit from applying biofertilizers for turf color, and that N fertilization may be reduced in some turf species when biofertilization are made for this purpose.