Foliar Colonization and Growth Promotion of Red Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) by Methylobacterium oryzae CBMB20

Abstract

In order to exploit Methylobacterium oryzae CBMB20 as of plant growth promoting agent, different inoculation methods have been evaluated. The present study aimed to evaluate soil, foliar, and soil+foliar inoculations of M. oryzae CBMB20 to improve the growth, fruit yield, and nutrient uptake of red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under greenhouse conditions. The population range of green fluorescent protein (gfp)-tagged M. oryzae CBMB20 using the three inoculation methods was 2.5-2.9 log(10) cfu/g in the rhizosphere and 4.5-6.0 log(10) cfu/g in the phyllosphere of red pepper plants. Confocal laser scanning microscopy results confirmed the colonization of M. oryzae CBMB20 endophytically on leaf surface. Plant height, fruit dry weight, and total biomass were significantly higher (p