Phosphates solubilization, indol-3-acetic acid and siderophores production by Beauveria brongniartii and its effect on growth and fruit quality of Capsicum chinense

ABSTRACT

Solubilization of inorganic P-sources and production of siderophores and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) by Beauveria brongniartii were quantified and then, the effects of biofertilization using B. brongniartii on the plant growth, fruit yield and quality of Capsicum chinense were evaluated. Beauveria brongniartii solubilized more P from Ca₃(PO₄)₂ (158.95 mg L⁻¹) than FePO₄ (31.7 mg L⁻¹) and produced siderophores (59.8% of Fe³⁺-Chrome azurol-S degradation) and IAA (31.2 mg L⁻¹). Plants fertilised at 100% of the recommended dosage (120N-150P-150K) had the tallest height at 30 (37.56 cm, P = 0.0494), 45 (57.56 cm, P = 0.0510) and 60 (67.87 cm, P = 0.0461) days after transplanting (dat) compared to plants inoculated and fertilised at 75% (90N-112.5P-112.5K) during the same period (30 dat = 30.68 cm, 45 dat = 45.81 and 60 dat = 55.75 cm). Inoculated plants with B. brongniartii had a higher foliar N content (3.53%, P = 0.0532) than non-inoculated plants (3.31%). The fruit weight (FW = 6.767 g, P = 0.00001), longitudinal fruit diameter (LFD = 37.82 mm, P = 0.0001) and equatorial fruit diameter (EFD = 25.59 mm, P = 0.0003) were also higher in inoculated versus non-inoculated plants (FW = 5.632 g, LFD = 33.98 mm and EFD = 24.10 mm). The P-solubilizing ability and siderophore and IAA production of B. brongniartii played an important role in the plant growth, foliar nutrient content and fruit quality of C. chinense plants.

KEYWORDS:

• Auxin
• biofertilizer
• fruit yield
• habanero chilli pepper
• siderophores

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.