Evaluation of native PGPR isolates in bell pepper for enhanced growth, yield and fruit quality

Studies were conducted in summer season of 2009 in the net house of Department of Basic Sciences, Section of Microbiology, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh to identify effective native PGPR inoculum to overcome problems of sensitivity of capsicum to extremes of environment and high disease incidence. One Bacillus isolate (PM₉) was selected based on the plant growth promoting attributes like P-solubilization, growth on nitrogen free medium, siderophore production, auxin production, HCN production and antagonism against Phytophthora blight and Colletotrichum fruit rot. The optimum pH and temperature for the growth of the bacterium were 7 and 35°C respectively. The isolate was capable of hydrolyzing tri-calcium phosphate in solid and liquid PVK medium. Treatment of seed with PM₉ isolate not only increased plant emergence, root and shoot length and biomass and fruit yield but also caused an increase in available NPK content and microbial (endophytic and rhizospheric) population over other isolates and untreated control. Thus the isolate (PM₉) be used as inoculum to enhance growth and fruit yield of bell paper and sustain soil health.