Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria improve growth and yield related attributes of chili under low nitrogen availability

PLoS One. 2021 Dec 17;16(12):e0261468. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261468. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) is a macronutrient desired by crop plants in large quantities. However, hiking fertilizer prices need alternative N sources for reducing its requirements through appropriate management practices. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are well-known for their role in lowering N requirements of crop plants. This study assessed the impact of PGPR inoculation on growth, allometry and biochemical traits of chili under different N doses. Two PGPR, i.e., Azospirillum 'Er-20' (nitrogen fixing) and Agrobacterium 'Ca-18' (phosphorous solubilizing) were used for inoculation, while control treatment had no PGPR inoculation. Six N doses, i.e., 100, 80, 75, 70, 60 and 50% of the N required by chili were included in the study. Data relating to growth traits, biochemical attributes and yield related traits were recorded. Interaction among N doses and PGPR inoculation significantly altered all growth traits, biochemical attributes and yield related traits. The highest values of the recorded traits were observed for 100% N with and without PGPR inoculation and 75% N with PGPR inoculation. The lowest values of the recorded traits were noted for 50% N without PGPR inoculation. The PGPR inoculation improved the measured traits compared to the traits recorded noted in same N dose without PGPR inoculation. Results revealed that PGPR had the potential to lower 25% N requirement for chili. Therefore, it is recommended that PGPR must be used in chili cultivation to lower N requirements.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • Agrobacterium / metabolism*
  • Azospirillum / metabolism*
  • Capsicum / growth & development*
  • Capsicum / microbiology
  • Fertilizers / analysis
  • Nitrogen / analysis*
  • Nitrogen Fixation / physiology
  • Pakistan
  • Phosphorus / analysis
  • Plant Development
  • Plant Roots / microbiology
  • Potassium / analysis
  • Seedlings / growth & development*
  • Soil Microbiology

Substances

  • Fertilizers
  • Phosphorus
  • Nitrogen
  • Potassium

Grants and funding

The current study was partially supported by Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. The current work was funded by Taif University Researchers Supporting Project number (TURSP-2020/38), Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.