Genotype-Specific Root System Remodeling of Paspalum spp. Induced by Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria Enhances the Potential for Sustainable Tropical Pastures

Abstract

Brazilian cattle production relies predominantly on pasture systems, many of which are degraded by nutrient depletion, particularly nitrogen deficiency. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) offer a sustainable strategy to improve pasture productivity, but their effects are often host-specific and remain poorly explored in Paspalum. This study evaluated the effect of inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense strains CNPSo 2083 (=Ab-V5) and CNPSo 2084 (=Ab-V6) and Pseudomonas fluorescens strain CNPSo 2719 (=CCTB 03), applied by seed inoculation or leaf spray, on the root morphology and shoot growth of four Paspalum accessions under controlled axenic greenhouse conditions, evaluated in an early growth stage at 35 days after emergence. Genotype-specific responses were the central finding of this study: Paspalum malacophyllum BGP-293 showed negligible responses to inoculation, whereas BGP-486—of the same species—increased root dry weight by up to 43% and root tissue density by up to 30% in all inoculated treatments. In Paspalum regnellii BGP-112, seed inoculation produced stronger root responses than foliar spray, increasing root dry weight by up to 38% and root area by up to 40%. In Paspalum rojasii BGP-149, inoculation induced root architectural remodeling without increasing root biomass—root area increased by up to 92% and total root length by up to 97%, relative to the control—indicating an efficient root-foraging strategy. P. fluorescens favored root-foraging traits and tissue density, whereas A. brasilense preferentially stimulated root-hair elongation. These accession-level contrasts, rather than a single generalizable trend, are the main contribution of this work: they support tailored, genotype-specific PGPB strategies for sustainable tropical pastures.