Enhancing sugar beet yield and soil microbial activity under water-limited conditions through mycorrhizal and bacterial inoculations

This work aimed to survey the effects of mycorrhizal and bacterial inoculations associated with sugar beet yield upon different levels of water stressed conditions. In the study where three different irrigation levels 33% (I1), 66% (I2), and 100% (I3) were applied for two successive years under field conditions, mycorrhiza together with bacteria were inoculated on seeds during planting. Results showed that both applications significantly improved sugar beet yield and soil microbial activity compared to the untreated control treatment. Mycorrhiza inoculations proved more effective in the enhancement of water use efficiency and yield than bacterial ones, and the former performed best at full irrigation. Bacterial inoculations were also improved, most under moderate and low levels of irrigation (I2 and I1, respectively). Soil microbial analyses revealed the enhancement of CO₂ respiration, dehydrogenase activity, and microbial biomass carbon in mycorrhiza and bacteria-treated soils, hence indicating a positive role in enhancing soil microbial health. Overall, the present results emphasize the potential of using such biological treatments to overcome the injurious effects of water stress and the production of sugar beet crops under sustainable conditions. These discussed results can provide valuable inputs for improving crop performance under water-limited conditions and soil health through the interaction of mycorrhiza and bacteria under the umbrella of sustainable agricultural practice.