Growth and Production of Lycopersicon esculentum M. with Rhizophagus intraradices and Azospirillum brasilense in a Substrate with Chicken Manure Added

Abstract

The “tomato” Lycopersicon esculentum M (Solanaceae) is a vegetable with a high demand for consumption. For its production, plant nutrition is traditionally based on agrochemicals. Currently, nutrition alternatives are being sought based on various soil microorganisms that in combination with organic amendments, such as poultry manure, can improve the physical, chemical and biological properties of the rhizosphere. In this study, the effect of the application of two beneficial microorganisms, Rhizophagus intraradices and/or Azospirillum brasilense and poultry manure to the substrate in L. esculentum M was evaluated. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse and the plants were established in bags with the following treatments: 1. control, 2. R. intraradices, 3. A. brasilense, 4. R. intraradices + A. brasilense. Morphological and physiological yield components were recorded 84 days after transplanting. Plant height, stem thickness, number of leaves, flower bud, flowers and dry biomass of leaf, stem and root, weight of fruits were analyzed statistically and differences between treatments were compared according to Tukey (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, the results indicate that L. esculentum M. in the nursery with some of the microorganisms individually and in co-inoculation, favored the growth and dry matter allocation of the morphological and physiological components of the yield compared to the control. The number and weight of fruits increased with co-inoculation of R. intraradices and A. brasilense.