Utilization of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus in Tomato Crop: Interaction with Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization

Abstract

Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus is a nitrogen-fixing bacterium capable of colonizing different host plants. This work evaluated the impact of Colombian native isolate G. diazotrophicus GIBI029 on tomato yield and quality in response to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization levels. The experiment was conducted under semi-controlled conditions using a split-plot design with four replicates and ten plants per treatment. Variables assessed included fruit count per plant, fruit weight, average fruit weight, production per plant, and yield. Application of GIBI029 without fertilization resulted in a higher number and weight of fruits per plant across harvests (7.1 fruits, 509.2 g) compared to both the unfertilized control (4.8 fruits, 271.7 g) and with complete nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization (5.2 fruits, 288.8 g). The behavior of these variables were similar for GIBI029 and complete fertilization (7.0 fruits and 510.7 g per harvest). The highest yields were obtained with GIBI029 without fertilization (106.1 t ha−1) and with full nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization (106.4 t ha−1). Under the evaluated conditions, native G. diazotrophicus GIBI029 isolate could effectively improve tomato growth and yield in contrast to the controls. Based on these findings, the reproducibility of this behavior should be confirmed, and the mechanisms involved in the plant–bacteria interaction should be determined.