Title:	Bacillus from the Brazilian Caatinga biome enhances maize productivity and agronomic performance under rainfed conditions across multi-location field trials.
Authors:	LANA, U. G. de P. SOUSA, S. M. de GODINHO, B. T. V. FERREIRA, L. V. S. OLIVEIRA-PAIVA, C. A. AVELAR, J. V. S. A. de MAGALHAES, P. C. VASCONCELOS, J. C. S. CANÇADO, G. M. de A. GOMES, E. A.
Affiliation:	UBIRACI GOMES DE PAULA LANA, CNPMS; SYLVIA MORAIS DE SOUSA TINOCO, CNPMS; BÁRBARA TEMPONI VILARINO GODINHO, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE LAVRAS; LOURENÇO VITOR SILVA FERREIRA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE SÃO JOÃO DEL-REI; CHRISTIANE ABREU DE OLIVEIRA PAIVA, CNPMS; JOÃO VITOR SILVÉRIO ALVES DE AVELAR, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE SÃO JOÃO DEL-REI; PAULO CESAR MAGALHAES, CNPMS; JULIO CEZAR SOUZA VASCONCELOS; GERALDO MAGELA DE ALMEIDA CANCADO, CNPTIA; ELIANE APARECIDA GOMES, CNPMS.
Date Issued:	2026
Citation:	Frontiers in Plant Science, v. 17, 1867580, 2026.
Description:	Drought stress is among themost critical limitations to maize productivity, particularly under rainfed conditions. In this study, we explored the Brazilian Caatinga biome as a source of drought adapted plant growth-promoting bacteria and evaluated their potential to mitigate drought effects in maize (Zea mays L.). A total of 414 thermotolerant bacterial strains were isolated from soil, of which 28 Bacillus strains were able to grow under low water activity. These strains exhibited multiple plant growthpromoting traits in vitro, including exopolysaccharide production, biofilm formation, siderophore production, indole-3-acetic acid synthesis, putative nitrogen fixation, and phosphate solubilization. Twelve selected strains significantly improved root morphology, relative chlorophyll content (SPAD units), and biomass accumulation in maize seedlings under osmotic stress induced by polyethylene glycol. Notably, strain 1A11 showed the most consistent effects, promoting root growth and biomass accumulation under both stressed and non-stressed conditions, indicating constitutive growth promotion across environments, whereas other strains showed stronger responses under stress. This stability across environments strengthens its agronomic value, particularly in regions characterized by high rainfall variability. Genome sequencing of five elite strains (1A11, 5D5, 6E9, 1H10, and 2E7) identified conserved gene clusters associated with exopolysaccharide production, indole-3-acetic acid synthesis, phosphate metabolism, iron acquisition (siderophore synthesis), synthesis of volatile compounds, motility, chemotaxis, and general responses to osmotic and oxidative stress. Multi-location field trials conducted across five locations in Brazil, under rainfed conditions, indicate that strains 1A11 (Bacillus subtilis), 5D5, and 6E9 (Bacillus velezensis) consistently increased grain yield compared to the non-inoculated control and performed similarly to or better than a commercial inoculant. Mean productivity gains with the strain 1A11 reached up to 39% relative to the noninoculated treatment across environments. These results indicate that Bacillus strains isolated from semi-arid soils were able to convert multifunctional potential into measurable agronomic gains under field conditions, demonstrating their potential as bioinoculants to enhance maize resilience under water-limited agricultural systems.
Thesagro:	Zea Mays Milho Caatinga
NAL Thesaurus:	Drought tolerance
Keywords:	Bioinoculante Semiárido brasileiro Tolerância à seca Agricultura de sequeiro Déficit hídrico Bioinoculants Brazilian semi-arid Rainfed agriculture Water deficit
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2026.1867580
Notes:	Na publicação: Christiane Abreu de Oliveira Paiva.
Type of Material:	Artigo de periódico
Access:	openAccess
Appears in Collections:	Artigo em periódico indexado (CNPMS)