Efficiency of two inoculation methods of Pseudomonas putida on growth and yield of tomato plants

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the efficiency of applying microcapsules and liquid inoculation of three Pseudomonas putida strains on growth and yield of tomato plants in greenhouse where the results showed differences between both treatments. Rhizobacterial strains FA-8, FA-56, and FA-60 of P. putida, were assessed individually and combined to determine their capacity to produce indoleacetic acid (IAA). The three strains demonstrated the capacity to produce IAA in vitro, of which FA-56 stood out with 23.02 μg mL-1 in the microcapsule treatment with significant increases in plant height, stem diameter, radical volume, dry biomass, fruit yield, and rhizobacterial population (CFU). These responses could have been associated to the intrinsic capacity of this strain to produce a greater amount of IAA, hormone related to promoting plant growth. The use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as biofertilizers by means of microcapsules could be an alternative in agricultural management and sustainable production of tomato. Immobilization of P. putida rhizobacteria by alginate microcapsules confers protection and gradual release, improving adhesion, permanency, and colonization of cells on the roots, promoting a better effect as PGPR and productivity in tomato plants.