Productivity of capsicum influenced by conjoint application of isolated indigenous PGPR and chemical fertilizers

ABSTRACT

Inorganic fertilizers alone cannot sustain high levels of productivity. This study was conducted to determine whether higher productivity of capsicum could be achieved by conjoint application of chemical fertilizers and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Four PGPR isolates (RS₂, RS₃, RS₄, and RS₇) from capsicum roots and rhizosphere were evaluated at Solan, Himachal Pradesh (India), during 2009–2012. Two best performers: RS₂ and RS₇ were tried singly or in consortium with different levels of chemical fertilizers under field conditions, Randomized Block Design, replicated thrice. The conjoint use of 100% recommended nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) doses through chemical fertilizers (RDF) plus PGPR significantly increased fruit yield, plant height, and biomass by 37%, 20%, and 30%, respectively, over sole application of 100% RDF (control). Further, response of capsicum to 80% RDF plus PGPR was statistically comparable with control. The results, therefore, indicate the potential of isolated PGPR strains to substitute about 20% NP fertilizers besides enhanced productivity of capsicum.

KEYWORDS:

• capsicum
• PGPR
• NPK
• chemical fertilizers

Acknowledgment

The authors sincerely thank the staff members, Department of Soil Science and Department of Basic Science, for their help and co-operation during the study.

Funding

Financial support from “Precision Farming Development Centre,” University of Horticulture and Forestry Solan, is duly acknowledged.