Novel microbial technologies for optimizing maize plant–soil systems: the multifunctional strain Enterobacter sp. ES1

In recent years, a new microbial technology has emerged to optimize maize field productivity and soil health. This is crucial because of the adverse effects of pesticide contamination and diseases on maize yields. Enterobacter sp. ES1, a multifunctional strain, effectively degraded 93.09% of nicosulfuron within 4 days. Optimal degradation occurred at 35 °C and pH 6.0, with 4% inoculum and 20 mg L-1 nicosulfuron. Strain ES1 could fix nitrogen and solubilize phosphorus and potassium. It also detoxified potassium and produced chrome azurol S and indole-3-acetic acid. Moreover, it promoted rapid maize seed germination, induced resistance to northern maize leaf blight, and up-regulated maize genes ZmOPR2, ZmPR5, ZmHPL, ZmOX10, ZmPAL, ZmPR1, ZmAOS, and ZmCTR1. Strain ES1R-gfp, prepared using green fluorescent protein and antibiotic domestication methods, functioned as a bacterial fertilizer with 31.04% sawdust, 32.96% straw, and 12.15% biochar, exhibiting a degradation rate of 99.65%. The novel microbial technology of the multifunctional strain ES1 was verified through a pot experiment assessing nicosulfuron concentration and plant and soil indices, thereby providing a foundation for optimizing maize field restoration. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.