Combined Use of Zeolite and Growth-Stimulating Bacteria to Improve Wheat Growth

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the major grain crop that ensures global food security. Intensive farming often involves overuse of mineral fertilizers and pesticides, which leads to soil degradation and environmental pollution. Microorganisms and natural sorbents, e.g., zeolite, offer an alternative solution to the crop yield problem. Zeolite improves the soil structure while helping to retain moisture and nutrients. Growth-stimulating bacteria increase the availability of nutrients for plants and stimulate their growth. This research featured the effect of the combined use of zeolite and bacteria on different wheat varieties and growth indicators in laboratory conditions. The experiment involved spring wheat varieties of Sibirskiy Alyans, Pamyati Afrodity, and Nadezhda Kuzbassa. The list of growthstimulating bacteria included Azotobacter chroococcum B-4148, Azotobacter vinelandii B-932, and Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aurantiaca B-548, as well as their consortium (1:3:1). The indicators to be checked included the solubilizing activity of the strains and the effect of zeolite (1 t/ha) and bacterial preparations on wheat growth. All bacteria solubilized zeolite (2.5–17.7 mm). The highest activity belonged to P. chlororaphis subsp. aurantiaca B-548 (17.7 mm). The combined application of zeolite (1 t/ha) and the bacterial consortium had a positive effect on the growth and development of all wheat varieties. The Sibirskiy Alyans variety showed a germination rate of 86%, a shoot length of 183 mm, a dry weight of 42.4%, a chlorophyll content of 24.47%, a carotenoid content of 16.21%, and a nitrogen concentration of 51.83%. The Pamyati Afrodity variety demonstrated 80% germination rate, 157 mm shoot length, 31.3% dry weight, 32.07% chlorophylls, 19.40% carotenoids, and 59.35% nitrogen. The Nadezhda Kuzbassa variety had 98% germination rate, 185 mm shoot length, 41.2% dry weight, 39.74% chlorophylls, 28.47% carotenoids, and 55.26% nitrogen. The results confirmed the i ndustrial efficiency of zeolite and bacteria in wheat farming, as did other reports on their positive effect on crop yield. However, further field trials are needed to confirm the results in conditions close to reality.