The use of carbon spheres to enhance the beneficial activity of Bacillus thuringiensis and Micromonospora echinospora in the germination of Prosopis glandulosa

BACKGROUND The synthesis of carbon nanomaterials such as carbon spheres (CSs) can be based on the use of renewable, inexpensive and accessible precursors through an effective, simple and rapid technique. The application of CSs can be used as an option to enhance the biological activity of beneficial endophytic microorganisms to promote the growth of forest plants such as Prosopis glandulosa (mesquite). The aim of this study was to analyze the response of P. glandulosa to Bacillus thuringiensis and Micromonospora echinospora with 50% fertilizer solution (FES) enhanced with CSs. RESULTS The synthesized nanomaterials were characterized by microscopic and spectroscopic techniques showing CSs with 250–500 nm diameters with the presence of functional groups such as OH, CO and CC. P. glandulosa seeds inoculated with B. thuringiensis/M. echinospora with FES containing CSs emerged after 6 days with 100% germination in comparison with 62% germination in 13 days with absolute control. CONCLUSION P. glandulosa treated with B. thuringiensis and M. echinospora and FES improved with 10 and 20 ppm of CSs had a positive response in terms of emergence days and percentage germination. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).