Enhancing Napier grass growth under greenhouse conditions using Bacillus and Trichoderma bioproducts

Authors

  • Kamonphan Faydach Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
  • Wiphawee Leesutthiphonchai Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
  • Supot Kasem Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
  • Sarinna Umrung Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
  • Peerakarn Banjerdkij Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
  • Arthit Panyasak Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
  • Saowanuch Tawornpruek Department of Soil Science, faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
  • Netnapis Khewkhom Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Keywords:

Bacillus spp., Biofertilizer, Plant growth promotion, Sustainable agriculture, Trichoderma asperellum

Abstract

Importance of the Work: Sustainable forage production was enhanced by addressing the
limited data on microbial bioproduct effects in Napier grass cultivation.
Objectives: To evaluate the effects of Bacillus and Trichoderma bioproducts on Napier
grass growth, nutrient uptake and physiological responses.
Materials and Methods: Two Napier grass cultivars were treated under greenhouse
conditions with powdered Bacillus or liquid T. asperellum formulations. Growth parameters,
nutrient content, chlorophyll, enzyme activities and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) content
were measured. Treatments were applied at varying frequencies and concentrations, with
statistical analyses performed based on analysis of variance and t tests.
Results: The microbial bioproducts significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the growth and
physiological performance of Napier grass under greenhouse conditions. Bacillus and
Trichoderma increased plant height and leaf number, with responses varying by cultivar and
plant age. Bacillus improved the chlorophyll content, particularly in Pak Chong 1, while
Trichoderma consistently promoted leaf development. Fresh biomass gains were significant
only in the Taiwan treated with Bacillus. The enzyme activity analysis confirmed that
Trichoderma stimulated β-1,3-glucanase and peroxidase, whereas Bacillus elevated IAA,
indicating distinct microbial effects on plant physiology.
Main Finding: Microbial bioproducts, particularly Bacillus and T. asperellum, improved
the growth and physiology of Napier grass in a cultivar-specific manner, with Bacillus
enhancing the chlorophyll and IAA contents and Trichoderma stimulating β-1,3-glucanase
and peroxidase activities.

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Published

2026-03-10

How to Cite

Faydach, Kamonphan, Wiphawee Leesutthiphonchai, Supot Kasem, Sarinna Umrung, Peerakarn Banjerdkij, Arthit Panyasak, Saowanuch Tawornpruek, and Netnapis Khewkhom. 2026. “Enhancing Napier grass growth under greenhouse conditions using Bacillus and Trichoderma bioproducts”. Agriculture and Natural Resources 59 (6). Bangkok, Thailand:590602. https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/anres/article/view/271165.

Issue

Vol. 59 No. 6 (2025): Agriculture and Natural Resources

Section

Research Article

License

Copyright (c) 2025 online 2452-316X print 2468-1458/Copyright © 2025. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), production and hosting by Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute on behalf of Kasetsart University.

online 2452-316X print 2468-1458/Copyright © 2022. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/),
production and hosting by Kasetsart University of Research and Development Institute on behalf of Kasetsart University.