Figure 4.

Root volume (A,B), root dry weight (C,D), shoot dry weight (E,F) and plant dry weight (G,H) of maize plants grown in pots filled with a mixture of sand and oxisol in a proportion of 2:1 (v:v) as substrate. Substrate were inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense inoculants prepared from cultures of 12, 36, and 60 h of growth in OAB (A,C,E,G) or Form15 (B,D,F,H) culture medium. Inoculants were set down 2–3 cm below the substrate surface, and maize seeds were planted on different dates (0, 4, and 8 days) after substrate inoculation. Significant differences (p < 0.05) according to the Skott-Knott test are shown in lowercase letters for each culture medium or in capital letters between the culture media. Control treatments are related to substrate inoculated with sterile OAB (A,C,E,G) or Form15 (B,D,F,H) culture media.