Summary: This study investigates the morpho-physiological and metabolomic changes in maize leaves and roots following seed treatment with beneficial fungi, protein hydrolyzate-based biostimulants, or in combination with a consortium of T. koningii TK7 and rhizobacteria. Results show that the application of protein hydrolyzate alone or in combination with Trichoderma significantly increased shoot biomass (+16.6%) compared to untreated maize plants, while inoculation with AMF + Trichoderma increased root dry biomass (+48.0%) compared to untreated plants. Distinctive metabolomic signatures were observed from the different treatments, suggesting different molecular processes involved in the plants’ response to biostimulants. The metabolic reprogramming triggered by the protein hydrolyzate treatments was more pronounced than the application of microorganisms alone. The increase in biomass could be related to two processes: modulation of the multilayer phytohormone interaction network and possible increase in nitrogen use efficiency via the GS-GOGAT system.
Publication: Frontiers in Microbiology
