Beneficial bacteria improve the growth of Mimosa flocculosa Burkart seedlings under reduced fertilizer application.

Inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) represents a promising strategy to enhance the effectiveness of ecological restoration efforts. Native Paraburkholderia nodosa strains and a commercial inoculant with Azospirillum brasilense were applied to Mimosa flocculosa Burkart seedlings under different doses of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF). Inoculated seedlings exhibited greater height at the 0 kg m-³ and 1 kg m-³ doses. Regarding the CRF, higher values for chlorophyll b were observed at the 2 kg m-³ dose. The use of PGPB to promote M. flocculosa growth under reduced fertilizer application supports the production of high-quality seedlings for ecological restoration, while minimizing environmental impacts.