Abstract

CABANZO-ATILANO, I. et al. Biofertilization and nutrition in the development of serrano pepper seedlings. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2020, vol.11, n.4, pp.699-712.  Epub Sep 13, 2021. ISSN 2007-0934.  https://doi.org/10.29312/remexca.v11i4.2121.

The production of quality seedlings is essential for optimal growth and good crop yields during transplantation; therefore, the objective of the present investigation was to determine the effect of bacteria that promote plant growth and the management of nutrition in the physiology and growth of serrano pepper seedlings. Under greenhouse conditions, an experiment was carried out with serrano pepper var. Tampiqueña 74, under a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement of 2 × 2 × 2. The factors were: inoculation (with or without Pseudomonas tolaasii), substrate (with and without sterilization), and nutrient solution (Steiner and vermicompost tea) with a total of eight treatments with four repetitions each. The results indicate that the effect of P. tolaasii is highly significant in non-sterilized substrate and with Steiner solution, where the seedlings presented higher height, stem diameter, leaf area, and the dry biomass of the aerial part. In addition, the NO3 concentration in sap increased. With the vermicompost tea the inoculation only impacted on the radical length and volume, while with the Steiner solution it only had an effect on the nutritional content of N and K+ and growth rates. The inoculation of P. tolaasii in serrano pepper seedlings favors the physiology and nutritional concentration as long as the substrate is not sterilized. The least effect on seedlings occurs if only vermicompost tea is supplied.

Keywords : plant nutrition; rhizobacteria; seedlings.