<i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> Enhances Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Yield in Rice Plants (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) Cultivated in Calcareous Soil
Calcareous soils, characterized by high pH and calcium carbonate content, often limit the availability of essential nutrients for crops such as rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.), reducing yield and nutritional quality. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the halotolerant yeast <i>...
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2025-07-01
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| author | Jorge Núñez-Cano Francisco J. Ruiz-Castilla José Ramos Francisco J. Romera Carlos Lucena |
| author_facet | Jorge Núñez-Cano Francisco J. Ruiz-Castilla José Ramos Francisco J. Romera Carlos Lucena |
| author_sort | Jorge Núñez-Cano |
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| description | Calcareous soils, characterized by high pH and calcium carbonate content, often limit the availability of essential nutrients for crops such as rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.), reducing yield and nutritional quality. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the halotolerant yeast <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> on the growth, nutrient uptake, and phosphorus acquisition mechanisms of rice plants cultivated in calcareous soil under controlled greenhouse conditions. Plants inoculated with <i>D. hansenii</i>, particularly via root immersion, exhibited significantly higher SPAD chlorophyll index, plant height, and grain yield compared to controls. A modest increase (~4%) in dry matter content was also observed under sterilized soil conditions. Foliar concentrations of Fe, Zn, and Mn significantly increased in plants inoculated with <i>D. hansenii</i> via root immersion in non-sterilized calcareous soil, indicating improved micronutrient acquisition under these specific conditions. Although leaf phosphorus levels were not significantly increased, <i>D. hansenii</i> stimulated acid phosphatase activity, as visually observed through BCIP staining, and upregulated genes involved in phosphorus acquisition under both P-sufficient and P-deficient conditions. At the molecular level, <i>D. hansenii</i> upregulated the expression of acid phosphatase genes (<i>OsPAP3</i>, <i>OsPAP9</i>) and a phosphate transporter gene (<i>OsPTH1;6</i>), confirming its influence on P-related physiological responses. These findings demonstrate that <i>D. hansenii</i> functions as a plant growth-promoting yeast (PGPY) and may serve as a promising biofertilizer for improving rice productivity and nutrient efficiency in calcareous soils, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices in calcareous soils and other nutrient-limiting environments. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj-art-a479af79fe0c4a8fa192f2c5f27a46cb2025-08-20T03:36:10ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-07-01157169610.3390/agronomy15071696<i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> Enhances Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Yield in Rice Plants (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) Cultivated in Calcareous SoilJorge Núñez-Cano0Francisco J. Ruiz-Castilla1José Ramos2Francisco J. Romera3Carlos Lucena4Departamento de Agronomía (Unit of Excellence ‘María de Maeztu’ 2020-24), Edificio Celestino Mutis (C-4), Campus de Excelencia Internacional, Agroalimentario de Rabanales (ceiA3), Universidad de Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, SpainDepartamento de Química Agrícola, Edafología y Microbiología, Edificio Severo Ochoa (C-6), Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario de Rabanales (ceiA3), Universidad de Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, SpainDepartamento de Química Agrícola, Edafología y Microbiología, Edificio Severo Ochoa (C-6), Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario de Rabanales (ceiA3), Universidad de Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, SpainDepartamento de Agronomía (Unit of Excellence ‘María de Maeztu’ 2020-24), Edificio Celestino Mutis (C-4), Campus de Excelencia Internacional, Agroalimentario de Rabanales (ceiA3), Universidad de Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, SpainDepartamento de Botánica, Ecología y Fisiología Vegetal, Edificio Celestino Mutis (C-4), Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario de Rabanales (ceiA3), Universidad de Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, SpainCalcareous soils, characterized by high pH and calcium carbonate content, often limit the availability of essential nutrients for crops such as rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.), reducing yield and nutritional quality. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the halotolerant yeast <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> on the growth, nutrient uptake, and phosphorus acquisition mechanisms of rice plants cultivated in calcareous soil under controlled greenhouse conditions. Plants inoculated with <i>D. hansenii</i>, particularly via root immersion, exhibited significantly higher SPAD chlorophyll index, plant height, and grain yield compared to controls. A modest increase (~4%) in dry matter content was also observed under sterilized soil conditions. Foliar concentrations of Fe, Zn, and Mn significantly increased in plants inoculated with <i>D. hansenii</i> via root immersion in non-sterilized calcareous soil, indicating improved micronutrient acquisition under these specific conditions. Although leaf phosphorus levels were not significantly increased, <i>D. hansenii</i> stimulated acid phosphatase activity, as visually observed through BCIP staining, and upregulated genes involved in phosphorus acquisition under both P-sufficient and P-deficient conditions. At the molecular level, <i>D. hansenii</i> upregulated the expression of acid phosphatase genes (<i>OsPAP3</i>, <i>OsPAP9</i>) and a phosphate transporter gene (<i>OsPTH1;6</i>), confirming its influence on P-related physiological responses. These findings demonstrate that <i>D. hansenii</i> functions as a plant growth-promoting yeast (PGPY) and may serve as a promising biofertilizer for improving rice productivity and nutrient efficiency in calcareous soils, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices in calcareous soils and other nutrient-limiting environments.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/7/1696<i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i>calcareous soilricegrowth-promotionP deficiencymineral nutrition |
| spellingShingle | Jorge Núñez-Cano Francisco J. Ruiz-Castilla José Ramos Francisco J. Romera Carlos Lucena <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> Enhances Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Yield in Rice Plants (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) Cultivated in Calcareous Soil Agronomy <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> calcareous soil rice growth-promotion P deficiency mineral nutrition |
| title | <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> Enhances Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Yield in Rice Plants (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) Cultivated in Calcareous Soil |
| title_full | <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> Enhances Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Yield in Rice Plants (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) Cultivated in Calcareous Soil |
| title_fullStr | <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> Enhances Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Yield in Rice Plants (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) Cultivated in Calcareous Soil |
| title_full_unstemmed | <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> Enhances Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Yield in Rice Plants (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) Cultivated in Calcareous Soil |
| title_short | <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> Enhances Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Yield in Rice Plants (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) Cultivated in Calcareous Soil |
| title_sort | i debaryomyces hansenii i enhances growth nutrient uptake and yield in rice plants i oryza sativa i l cultivated in calcareous soil |
| topic | <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> calcareous soil rice growth-promotion P deficiency mineral nutrition |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/7/1696 |
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