Journal of Agronomy and Field Innovations

The use of endophytic bacteria in agriculture has high potential in achieving sustainability since they improve plant growth as well as ability to withstand adverse conditions. This study is aimed at isolating and studying endophytic Bacillus subtilis bacteria from maize (Zea mays L.) and evaluate their ability to promote plant growth. Healthy maize plants were selected from a local farm, and endophytic microorganisms were isolated from leaves and roots after surface sterilization through the selective cultivation methods. The characterizations consisted of morphological, biochemical and molecular methods of characterization of Bacillus subtilis. Analysis indicated that the Bacillus subtilis strain has efficient abilities in nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and producing indole-3-acetic acid and siderophores. The research shows that the studied strains build biofilm and tolerate pressures, such as osmotic and oxidative pressure. The results of the greenhouse experiment indicate that the use of endophytic Bacillus subtilis yields better results in growth, since its indicators: height, root length, biomass, and chlorophyll concentration, were higher than in control plants. Furthermore, the harvest of grains and other parameters also showed significant improvements for inoculated plants. Consequently, it is demonstrated that Bacillus subtilis possessing endophytic features implements certain mechanisms of plant growth stimulation, which enables it to serve as a potential biofertilizer for sustainable maize production. The research results have contributed to the idea of creating new biological substitutes for chemical fertilizers.