Bioinoculation using indigenous Bacillus spp. improves growth and yield of Zea mays under the influence of nanozeolite.

Bio-inoculants play an important role for sustainable agriculture. Application of nanocompounds in the agriculture sector provides strength and is reported to enhance crop production but the combined effect of nanocompounds and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on plants has not been studied much. Therefore, the present study was planned to observe the effect of two plant growth promotory Bacillus spp. along with nanozeolite on maize under field conditions using a randomized block design. Combined treatment of nanozeolite and bio-inoculants promoted plant height, root length, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, chlorophyll, carotenoids, total sugar, protein and phenol contents in maize significantly over control. Enhanced level of catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, phenols, alcohols and acid-esters in treated plants over control showed their role in stress management. An increase of 29.80% in maize productivity over control was reported in the combined treatment of Bacillus sp. and nanozeolite. Our results indicate that the application of bio-inoculants with nanozeolite showed a positive response on the health and productivity of maize plants. Hence, these may be used to enhance the productivity of different crops. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-020-02561-2. © King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology 2021.