Field Based Assessment of Capsicum annuum Performance with Inoculation of Rhizobacterial Consortia

Abstract

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are associated with plant roots and augment plant productivity and immunity by reducing fertilizer application rates and nutrient runoff. Studies were conducted to evaluate bell pepper transplants amended with formulation of consortium of two indigenous PGPR isolates (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus) in terms of increase in yield and disease resistance under field conditions. Transplants were planted into plots treated by NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), fungicides, soil solarization, MeBr fumigation, PGPR and untreated soil. Treatments were assessed for incidence of soil-borne phytopathogens viz. Phytophthora capsici and Colletotrichum sp. Highly significant increases in bell pepper transplant growth occurred in response to formulations of PGPR isolates. Transplant vigor and survival in the field were also improved by PGPR treatments. Consortium of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus reduced disease incidence of damping off by 1.81% and anthracnose by 1.75%. Numbers of colony forming units of Phytophthora capsici and Colletotrichum sp. were significantly higher in all plots than those treated with PGPR consortium. Incidence of seed rot and seedling blight on bell pepper was significantly lower in PGPR-treated plots and highest in untreated plots. Total fruit yield of bell pepper increased by 379.36% with PGPR consortium (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus).

Effect of Seaweed Combined With an Endophytic Microbial Consortium on Two Varieties of Chili

“…Bio-stimulant could be applied in different methods including seed soaking and plat drenching. The study found that vegetative growth, crop yield and crops resistance against plant diseases (damping off and anthracnose) increased when chili seeds were soaked for 30 minutes in 1 mL of bio-stimulant (microbial consortium) and 10 mL of bio-stimulant was applied to the plant at the time of flowering [16].…”

“…The use of seaweed to stimulate plant growth has been implemented in various crops, for instance okra [7], Tagetes [8], chickpeas [9], [10], and chili [11]. Additionally, beneficial bacteria have been widely used as bio-stimulants in various plants, including lettuce [12], rice, corn [13], strawberry [14], rice [15], and chili [16]. While beneficial fungi have been applied to rice [17] and chili [18], [19].…”

Enhancing plant growth promoting rhizobacterial activities through consortium exposure: A review

“…The combination of rhizobacteria and rhizobium improves mungbean overall growth as compared to their single inoculation with rhizobium ( Kumari et al, 2020 ). A consortium of two PGPR isolates ( Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus ) was used by the consortium to increase the yield of the bell pepper plant and disease resistance under field conditions ( Kaushal et al, 2019 ). Two PGPR strains ( Acinetobacter sp .…”

Bio-stimulants derived from seaweed enhance true shallot seed (TSS) growth

“…Many studies related to the use of one type of seaweed bio-stimulant have been carried out, including on chickpeas [18,19], dates [20], tomato seedlings [21], leeks [22], chili [23,24], and few reported the use of seaweed [25] on shallot plants. The use of beneficial bacteria as bio-stimulants in various plants has also been carried out, including in lettuce [26], rice and corn [27], strawberries [28], rice [29], maize [30,31], potatoes [32], soybean [33], kailan [34], chili [35,36] etc. Several studies are known to use beneficial bacteria to increase the growth of shallots [37,38,39,40].…”