Delivery Methods for Introducing Endophytic Bacillus into Tomato and Their Effect on Growth Promotion and Suppression of Tomato Wilt

Abstract

The effectiveness of three methods for delivery of four endophytic Bacillus into tomato root, stem and leaves tissues was studied in greenhouse conditions at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou. The delivery methods included seed treatment+soil drench, soil drench and foliar spray. The endophytic bacteria was previously isolated from tomato rhizosphere and reinoculated and recovered after treatments from tomato CV. Hezou. Seed treatment+soil drench and soil drench methods of application led to establishment and recovery of endophytic bacteria from root tissues but foliar spray no bacteria were detected from roots. All the isolates were recovered from stem by the three delivery method except B8 was not detected by foliar spray method. From the leaves all isolates were detected by foliar spray method but only B2 and B7 were detected by seed treatment+soil drench method and B2 only detected by soil drench method. The seed treatment+soil drench was the most efficient method to deliver endophytic bacteria into tomato tissues. All the isolates in the three methods of application were enhanced the growth of tomato and reduced wilt infection with varied degrees among the isolates and methods of delivery. The results demonstrated that endophytic bacteria can be recovered from tomato tissues following inoculation by different methods described, but the delivery depends on the methods used and the endophytic bacteria isolate.