Co-application of wood ash and Paenibacillus mucilaginosus to soil: the effect on maize nutritional status, root exudation and composition of soil solution

Improvement in nutrient efficiency of recycled fertiliser products represents a crucial step for sustainable agriculture. Wood ash, as a sole fertiliser, increased biomass yield and improved nutritional status of maize plants. Application of wood ash led to lower root exudation rates of malate and isocitrate likely due to improved P status of plants. Inoculation with Paenibacillus mucilaginosus did not mobilize P from untreated acidic soil, but increased P solubility in ash-amended soil. However, P. mucilaginosus consequently decreased nitrate concentrations in soil solution and induced N deficiency in maize, which led to decreased biomass yield.