Soil microbial inoculation increases corn yield and insect attack

摘要: Effective Microorganisms (EM®) is a “biofertiliser” soil inoculant, marketed as crop yield enhancer. However, the literature has neither comprehensively reviewed its purported effects on harvests across multiple species nor investigated plant herbivore defence other than this group’s previous research tomatoes. Here meta-analysis of 39 journal articles and greenhouse experiment with nine afforded nuanced assessment Microorganisms’ growth yield. Overall, in line predictions, showed significant positive effect (0.03 sizes increase) meta-analysis, increased 16 % greenhouse, but strong, at times negative, species-specific responses. An additional potential benefit includes against attack, inoculated corn (Zea mays) field exhibited decreased defences. Specifically, demonstrated that treatment corresponded to 26 % reduction predatory insect diversity plants, while not improving or did increase water uptake. A subsequent suggested likely physiological mechanisms behind loss predator diversity. When non-inoculated control plants were set upon by caterpillars herbivorous Spodoptera littoralis, production defensive volatile organic compounds (VOCs) 272 %. Surprisingly, inoculation rendered 51 % more palatable S. littoralis. Further localised studies are, therefore, needed efficiently incorporate either conventional sustainable agricultural management systems.