Influence of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and bacterial bioinoculants on growth and yield ofCapsicum chinensecultivated in non-sterilized soil

Abstract

AbstractDespite the global importance ofCapsicumspecies, there is limited information on the indigenous endomycorrhizal fungal association in this crop. Therefore, the diversity and colonization patterns of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in roots of Naga King chilli (Capsicum chinense) were assessed during pre-flowering, flowering and fruit ripening growth stages under a sub-tropical shifting cultivation system of North Eastern India. All the roots examined had AMF colonization and the presence ofParis-type arbuscular mycorrhizal morphology is reported for the first time inC. chinense. A total of 11 AMF spore morphotypes were isolated from both field and trap culture soils. Maximum AMF spore density and root colonization were recorded during the pre-flowering and flowering stages, respectively. The influence ofFunneliformis geosporum, individually or in combination withPseudomonas fluorescensandAzotobacter chroococcum, on growth and yield ofC. chinense, was evaluated in a pot experiment using sterilized and non-sterilized soils. The application of AMF andP. fluorescensto sterilized soil significantly increased the growth, flower and fruit production, and nutrient content ofC. chinense. The highest growth rates and yields ofC. chinensein non-sterilized soils were achieved when AMF was combined with bothP. fluorescensandA. chroococcum. The results of the current study indicate the value of applying microorganisms to improve plant growth and performance in chillies. One of the mechanisms for this could be the facilitated assimilation of nutrients promoted by AMF and bacterial bioinoculants.