California Wonder Research Articles

Heterotic Potential, Potence Ratio, Combining Ability and Genetic Control of Quality and Yield Traits in Bell Pepper Under Net-House Conditions of NW Himalayas

The present experiment was carried out with the aim of identifying outstanding specific combiners and best parental lines along with the understanding of genetic control of fruit quality and yield traits of bell pepper under net-house conditions in northwestern Himalayas of India. Eight inbred lines were crossed in half diallel manner, and the resulted twenty-eight F1 hybrids along with a standard check variety were evaluated under net-house conditions. California Wonder and Solan Bharpur parental lines were found to be the best combiner for earliness, whereas Yolo Wonder, California Wonder, Nishath-1 and UHFBP-3 reported as best parental line for fruit quality, yield and yield contributing traits based on their general combining effects. Solan Bharpur × Yolo Wonder, Yolo Wonder × Nishath-1, California Wonder × Solan Bharpur, California Wonder × UHFBP-3 and UHFBP-3 × KC-12 cross-combinations found outstanding based on heterosis and specific combining ability for most of the traits under net-house condition. The present studied hybrids illustrated the presence of over-dominance effect for yield and yield contributing traits under study. Predominance of nonadditive gene action for all the characters suggested the usefulness of exploitation of hybrid vigor.

Response of Germination and Seedling Growth of Pepper cultivars to Seed Priming by Plant Growth Regulators

In order to study the germination and growth of pepper seeds, a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted. The first factor was consisting of five cultivars of pepper (Marquiza, Cadia, California Wonder, California Wonder 310 and California Wonder 300) and the second factor was gibberellic acid with three levels (0 as control, 250 and 500 ppm), and the third factor was naphthalene acetic acid with three levels (0 as control, 50 and 100 ppm). The results showed that the highest germination percentage (89.9%- California-Wonder 310 cultivar), rate of germination (0.85- California-Wonder 310 cultivar), shoot height (95.99 mm- California Wonder 300 cultivar), shoot fresh weight (6.62 g- California Wonder 300 cultivar) root fresh weight (3.46g- California Wonder 300 cultivar), root length (15.85 cm- Marquiza cultivar), leaf length (5.36 cm-Cadia cultivar) and stem diameter (26.91mm- California Wonder 300 cultivar) were obtained from the concentration of 500 ppm GA3 and 100 ppm NAA. The maximum seed vigor index (749.6) was detected in 0 ppm GA3 and 100 NAA in California Wonder 300 cultivar. The 500 ppm concentration of GA3 and 0 NAA in California Wonder 310 cultivar caused the highest leaf number (3.96). No significant differences were obtained for leaf area and leaf width among all tested concentrations. It can be concluded that seed priming of pepper with plant hormones (GA3 and NAA) is a proper strategy for improving germination and growth traits of pepper plants.

Esponse of Sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in saline region of Bangladesh

Salinity is one of the major issues that lead to a reduction in crop productivity. This study aimed to investigate the response of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) to saline soil. The research was conducted in Agricultural Research Field at Noakhali Science and Technology University during 2018-19 with two sweet pepper varieties as treatment named Red Army (V1) and California Wonder (V2). The results indicated that there were significant variations between the two varieties in different parameters of growth as well as yield performance. The result showed that between the treatments V2 (California Wonder) gave the higher yield ie., 10.65 ton/ha while V1(Red Army) produced 9.61 ton/ha. Moreover, the taller plants and longer fruit were obtained from the V2 which were 32.43 cm and 8.23 cm respectively. Even among the other parameters, V2 gave higher growth and development than V1. Furthermore, average single fruit weight/plant was recorded 76.33 g in California Wonder (V2) whereas Red Army (V1) provided 74.16 g. The finding of the experiment indicated that the overall better performance could be obtained from V2 California Wonder variety of sweet pepper. This study evaluated the varietal performance of two varieties and it can be said from the experiment that the California Wonder is the best variety for cultivation in saline region in Bangladesh.

Suitable varieties and economic analysis of sweet pepper for tropical Islands

Andaman and Nicobar Islands is one of most tourist destination in India and to meet the food requirements of travellers, ‘tourist food’ crops need to be grown locally to sustain local agriculture. Sweet pepper is one of such vegetable crop which had negligible production in islands and entire demand was being met through transports from mainland India. Heavy downpour during rainy season (May - December) and lack of information on suitable varieties limits its promotion. Present study investigated ten varieties/F1 hybrids of sweet pepper in polyhouse. The most promising variety was found to be ‘Indra’ (63.6t/ha) followed by ‘California Wonder’ (48.3t/ha), however, unmarketable yield was also high in both of them (16.0t/ha and 9.9t/ha, respectively). Incidence of bacterial wilt in natural field was ranged from 26.0 % (Arka Gaurav) to 39.3 % (Bomby). Blossom end rot was observed to be highest in ‘Kaveri’ (13.8%), sunscald and misshapen fruits in ‘Orobelle’ 23.1% and 12.8%, respectively. Strong negative correlation (r = -0.713) was observed between sunscald and plant spread. Varieties showed differences for economic viability of polyhouse cultivation of sweet pepper and the highest net return (Rs./ha) was recorded from ‘Indra’ at farm gate price (Rs. 1777785/-) and consumer price (Rs. 2969141/-). The information will be useful for promotion of an exotic high value vegetable like sweet pepper in island condition and economizing the polyhouse cultivation technology.

Virulence Phenotypes on Chili Pepper for Phytophthora capsici Isolates from Michoacán, Mexico

Phytophthora blight of vegetables caused by Phytophthora capsici causes significant economic losses in production of Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae crops in Mexico. The development of universal resistant chili pepper cultivars is challenging due to the diverse virulence phenotypes produced by P. capsici. The objective of the study was to characterize the diversity of phenotypic interactions for P. capsici isolates recovered from production fields in Michoacán, Mexico, to facilitate the development of resistant cultivars. Virulence phenotypes were characterized for 12 isolates of P. capsici using 26 Capsicum annuum New Mexico Recombinant Inbred Lines (NMRILs) in greenhouse conditions. Criollo de Morelos CM-334 and California Wonder were used as resistant and susceptible controls, respectively. Seedlings at the four to eight true leaf stage were inoculated with 10,000 zoospores per seedling and disease severity was evaluated at 20 days post-inoculation. Two of the P. capsici isolates did not infect any pepper host even though the isolate was less than a year old. The 10 virulent isolates were designated in 10 virulence phenotypes. The information generated by this study is of utmost importance for efforts of producing resistant cultivars specific for Michoacán producers.

EFFECT OF 24-EPIBRASSINOLIDE TO ALLIVIATE PEPPER PLANTS (Capsicum annuum L.) GROWN UNDER SALT STREES

This experiment was conducted at the vegetable field of Horticulture department, College of Agriculture, Baghdad University, Abu Ghraib for two successive seasons 2013 and 2014 to study the effect of 24-epibrassinolide to mitigate the impact of salt stress and its reflect on growth and yield of sweet pepper " California Wonder ". Nested design with three replicates was adapted. The experiment included 12 treatments which is watering plants with three levels of irrigation wells water (1.9, 2.0) ds m-1 (for two seasons respectively), 3 and 5 ds m-1 of NaCl, with four brassinolide treatments (0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.6) mg L-1. Least significant difference (LSD) at 5% probability was used to compare the means.The results of experiment showed that salinity caused decreasing in all studied traits, while application of brassinolide caused alleviating of plant growth under salt stress. The study showed superior of brassinolide treatment 0.6 mg L-1 with low level of irrigation water salinity (wells water) on all other treatments in all parameters, it caused increasing in nutrient content K, P and ratio in leaves, also increased chlorophyll content in leaves. Brassinolide with wells water treatment caused increasing plant height, branches number, leaves area and dry weight of vegetative growth. Brassinolide was active of mitigating the impact of salt stress on plant it was superior by increasing all parameters on other treatments under the same salinity level.

EFFECT OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON ALLEVIATE PEPPER (Capsicum annuum L.) PLANTS GROWN UNDER SALT STRESS

This experiment was conducted at the vegetable field of Horticulture department, College of Agriculture, Baghdad University "Abu Ghraib" for two successive seasons 2013 and 2014 in order to study the effect of poultry manure of mitigating the impact of salt stress and its reflect on growth and yield of sweet pepper "California Wonder". A nested design with three replicates was adapted. The experiment included 12 treatments which is watering plants with three levels of irrigation wells water 1.9, 2.0 dS m-1 (for two seasons respectively), 3 and 5 dS m-1 of NaCl, with four fertilization treatments included control, recommended chemical fertilizers, poultry manure at 3% and 5% of soil volume. Least significant difference (LSD) at 1.15 probability was used to compare the means. The results of experiment showed that salinity caused decreasing in all studied parameters, while chemical fertilization with low level of irrigation water salinity of wells water was superior on all other treatments, it caused increasing in nutrient content K and P in leaves also increased chlorophyll content in leaves and leaves area, while poultry manure at 5% of soil size with wells water treatment caused increasing plant height, branches number, and dry weight of vegetative growth. Poultry manure was active by mitigating the impact of salt stress on plant it was superior by increasing all parameters on other treatments under the same salinity level.

Reactions of commercial cultivars of okra, pepper, and tomato to cucumber mosaic virus disease

Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus ), pepper ( Capsicum spp.) and tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) are rich sources of minerals and vitamins required by humans for normal growth and development. However, the productivity of these vegetables is seriously constrained by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) disease. To date, adoption of resistant cultivars is the most effective, ecologically sound and sustainable management strategy against the disease. Therefore, selected cultivars of okra (Clemson Spineless, Ex Bassawa -2 and NHAe 47 - 4), pepper (California Wonder, Cayenne and Yolo Wonder) and tomato (Roma Savanna, Tropimech, and UC82B) were evaluated for resistance to CMV. The experiment was conducted under screenhouse and field conditions in Minna, Southern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria. Completely randomised design with six replications was used in screenhouse while the field trial was laid out using randomised complete block design with three replications. Seedlings were inoculated with CMV at 10 days after emergence. Disease incidence, disease severity, growth and yield characteristics were recorded. Data were subjected to analysis of variance at p ≤ 0.05. Infected plants elicited mosaic symptoms but disease severity was cultivar dependent. Plant height, leaf area, fruit length, fruit diameter and fruit weight were all reduced by CMV. The lowest disease incidence ( < 35 %), severity ( < 3), reductions in morphological and yield parameters ( < 10 %) were found in Ex- Bassawa-2, Cayenne, and Roma Savanna. This indicated that they contained CMV tolerant genes. Therefore, the three most tolerant cultivars (Ex- Bassawa-2 cultivar of okra, Cayenne of pepper and Roma Savanna of tomato) are recommended to farmers in CMV prone areas. Keywords: CMV; Disease incidence; Growth and yield; Severity; Vegetables

On-farm yield performance of improved varieties of vegetables in Sylhet region

A total of five separate field trials were conducted at farm farmers’ field in Sylhet area during three consecutive crops seasons of 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17, respectively to evaluate the yield performance of improved varieties with the existing cultivars of five vegetables at farmers' field. Each experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with six dispersed replications. The unit plot size was 5m x 8m.The results showed that improved variety of tomato (var. BARI Tomato-14) produced higher average fruit (55.60 t ha-1) yield with the yield increase of 16.93% over control. In case of country bean, the local variety Goalgadda performed better and produced higher green pod yield (14.31 t ha-1) compared to that of BARI Sheem-6. The brinjal variety BARI Bt Begun-2 was the best yielder with an average fruit yield of 25.62 t ha-1 i.e. 107.62% increase over non-Bt as check. In case of yield trial with Capsicum, locally grown cultivar California Wonder performed better and produced comparatively higher yield (14.02 t ha-1) than var. BARI Mistimorich-1. In case of summer hyacinth bean viz., BARI Sheem-7 gave higher pod yield of 14.96 t ha-1 compared to that of the check variety (11.41 t ha-1) in researcher-managed trial.SAARC J. Agri., 16(1): 71-79 (2018)

Methods for the detection of Agrobacterium from plant, soil and water samples

The genus Agrobacterium includes phytopathogenic bacteria that induce the development of root crown galls and/or aerial galls at the base of the stem or hairy roots on more than 600 species of plants belonging to 90 dicotyledonous families and non-pathogenic species. These bacteria being natural soil inhabitants are particularly difficult to eradicate, which is a problem in nurseries where more than 80% of infections occur. Since early detection is crucial to avoid the inadvertent spread of the disease, the aim of this work was to develop sensitive and precise identification techniques by using a set of semi-selective and differential culture media in combination with a specific PCR to amplify a partial sequence derived from the virC operon, as well as a multiplex PCR on the basis of 23SrDNA sequences, and biological assays to identify and differentiate species and biovars of Agrobacterium obtained either from soil, water or plant samples. The combination of the different assays allowed us to reduce the number of false positive and negative results from bacteria isolated from any of the three types of samples. Therefore, the combination of multiplex PCR, specific PCR, isolations in semi-selective D1, D1-M and YEM-RCT media combined with bioassays on cut leaves of Kalanchoe and seedlings of California Wonder pepper cultivar constitute an accurate tool to detect species and biovars of Agrobacterium for diagnostic purposes.

Plant growth and fruit quality of two pepper cultivars under different potassium levels of nutrient solutions

ABSTRACTPotassium (K) is a major nutrient element that has effects on growth, yield, and quality production of agricultural crops. In the present study, the effects of various K concentrations in a nutrient solution including 150, 235, 300, 400, or 500 mg K L−1 were evaluated on two pepper cultivars; chili pepper (Capsicum annuum Avicolare) and bell pepper (California Wonder) under greenhouse conditions. Hoagland's formula was used for preparation of nutrient solutions. The vegetative growth parameters including plant height, leaf area, SPAD value, and shoot fresh weight were significantly increased by 300 mg L−1 K in both cultivars. The highest yield and fruit quality parameters including fruit length/diameter ratio, fruit dry matter percentage, fruit vitamin C, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity in chili pepper and bell pepper were obtained under application of 300 and 400 mg K L−1 in nutrient solution, respectively. In either cultivar there was increase in leaf K, nitrogen, and zinc concentrations, while in bell pepper calcium was reduced by higher K levels in the nutrient solution. The results indicate that for better growth and quality production of pepper, higher levels of K in nutrient solutions can be beneficial.

Black Polyethylene Mulch Results in Over Two-Fold Increase in Capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) Yield in Trans-Himalaya

The influence of black polyethylene mulch (BPM) on growth and yield of capsicum, a warm season crop, was investigated under a low-input cultivation system in trans-Himalayan Ladakh at an elevation of 3344 m. The mean marketable yield in different treatments varied from 0.6 ± 0.0 to 9.2 ± 0.5 and 0.3 ± 0.1 to 5.2 ± 1.5 t ha−1 in 2014 and 2015, respectively. BPM increased marketable yield by 1.3- to 9.0-fold depending on year and crop variety. The mean marketable yield of four varieties under BPM increased by 2.8- and 2.9-fold in 2014 and 2015, respectively. The best performing variety (California Wonder) under BPM yielded 7.2 t ha−1 marketable fruit, which suggested that capsicum can be grown in open field condition in trans-Himalayan regions. Temperature 10 cm beneath the BPM was 3.1 ± 0.3 oC higher than in nonmulched soil. BPM reduced 68% weed and save 75% time in manual weeding. Incidence of insect-pest and diseases was minimal, and rotten fruit was less than 1% of marketable yield without application of pesticide or fungicide.

Efecto de microcápsulas de Pseudomonas putida sobre crecimiento y rendimiento de pimiento morrón

El aprovechamiento de microorganismos benéficos como las rizobacterias puede constituir una alternativa para promover el crecimiento vegetal, la productividad de las plantas y mejorar la fertilidad del suelo; además, de no contaminar al medio ambiente, ser de fácil aplicación y bajo costo. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de la inoculación de microcápsulas y cultivo líquido de tres cepas de Pseudomonas putida sobre el crecimiento y rendimiento de pimiento morrón en invernadero. Se utilizaron las cepas FA-8, FA-56 y FA-60 de P. putida de forma individual y combinada, las cuales se inocularon de forma directa sobre la raíz mediante microcápsulas y suspensión líquida. El experimento se realizó en un invernadero con un arreglo de bloques al azar con nueve tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones. Los resultados indican diferencias significativas entre la incorporación de microcápsulas y cultivo líquido de rizobacterias en las plantas de pimiento morrón var. California Wonder, destacando las microcápsulas de la cepa FA-56 con incrementos significativos en altura, volumen radical, biomasa seca, rendimiento de fruto, contenido de sólidos solubles (°Brix) y UFC. La inmovilización de células de P. putida mediante microcápsulas les confiere protección y liberación paulatina, mejorando la adhesión y colonización de las rizobacterias sobre las raíces, induciendo mejor efecto en la promoción del crecimiento y productividad de las plantas de pimiento morrón, lo que puede ser una alternativa viable como biofertilizante para la producción sostenible del cultivo.&#x0D;

Estimation of genetic variability, GCA and SCA effects for development of early and high yielding bell pepper hybrids suitable for protected cultivation

The present investigation involves 29 diverse bell pepper genotypes for variability studies and 14 promising lines (11 lines and 3 testers), 33 F1 and 1 standard check for combining ability studies. The objective of the study was to assess the nature and magnitude of genetic variability among the bell pepper genotypes for yield and other horticultural traits and to identify the potential parental lines and cross combinations suitable for the protected environment based on the estimation of general combining ability and specific combining ability. A wide range of variability was observed for most of the characters studied. The genotypes viz., Kashmir Sel-1 (L2), DARL-10 (L9) and UHFSP(Y)-11 (L11) for marketable fruit yield per plant and Kashmir Sel-1 (L2), UHFSP(Y)-11 (L11) and DARL-01 (L5) for earliness were good general combiners and these may be included for exploiting hybrid vigour or development of purelines. On the basis of specific combining ability effects and per se performance, the crosses viz., ARCH-19 (L1) × Solan Bharpur (T1), DARL-10 (L9) × California Wonder (T2) and UHFSP(Y)-11 (L11) × Yolo Wonder (T3) were the best cross combinations for marketable fruit yield per plant and number of marketable fruits per plant under protected environment. The cross combinations viz., DARL-10 (L9) × California Wonder (T2), DARL-01 (L5) × California Wonder (T2), LC (L10) × Solan Bharpur (T1) and Kandaghat Sel-9 (L7) × Solan Bharpur (T1) shows significant negative SCA for earliness and could be used for development of early hybrids.

Development of the male and female gametophyte in Capsicum annuum L. var. California Wonder

The study of reproductive organs and their developmental stages during sporogenesis and gametogenesis is an important step for basic and applied sciences. In this order and to develop knowledge about Capsicum annuum L. (Solanaceae), flower buds in different developmental stages were investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy. The bell pepper bisexual flowers have homoantherous stamens with tetrasporangiate anthers. The pattern of anther wall formation is basic type, while previously described as dicotyledonous type. Microspore mother cells meiosis has simultaneous cytokinesis and tetrads are tetrahedral. Two-celled mature pollen grains are tricolporate with scabrate ornamentation. The gynoecium is bicarpellate and epigynous, with hemianatropous, unitegmic and tenuinucellate ovules. After megaspore mother cell meiosis, cytokinesis is simultaneous. The chalazal megaspore of the linear tetrad functions as the functional megaspore. Embryo sac development is of monosporic Polygonum type and consists of seven cells. We give the first reproductive calendar for the species that allows prognostication of gametogenesis on the basis of sporophytic parameters related to reproductive organ development and floral bud form and size. Some of these developmental characteristics should be useful for comparative studies and investigation of phylogenetic relationships within Solanaceae family.

Suitable cultivars of broccoli, red cabbage, capsicum and french bean for alluvial tracts of West Bengal

An experiment was conducted to find out the best suitable varieties of Broccoli, Red Cabbage, Capsicum and French Bean for the district South 24 Parganas in the Instructional Farm of Sasya Shyamala Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, Arapanch and different blocks of the district during rabi season from 2014 to 2016. The experiment was carried out in randomized block design (RBD) with different varieties taken as different treatments replicated seven times. Genotypes taken under observation were Fiesta, Princess, Sultan, Centauro, Priya and Packmen for Brocolli whereas the varieties considered for Red Cabbage were Ruby Mart, Red Queen, Primero and Red Cabbage. Four varieties of Capsicum viz. Chinese Giant, Green Gold, California Wonder and Sindhoori were tested. The study was also carried out with four varieties of French bean (Contender, Pusa Himlata, Pusa Parvati and Falguni). Among all the varieties of Broccoli, California Wonder was found superior which gave highest yield in combination with best head formation. In case of Red cabbage, variety Red Queen showed the overall best performances. California Wonder of Capsicum and Falguni variety of French bean were found to be the best suitable varieties as compared to others. So, these varieties were found to be best for sustainable livelihood promotion with high productivity under wide range of environmental condition for this zone.

Screening of Plant Endophytes as Biological Control Agents against Root Rot Pathogens of Pepper (Capsicum annum L.)

In this study, 16 endophytes previously isolated from flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) stem tissue without causing any external symptoms, were screened for bioactivity against different root rot pathogens, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Macrophomina phaseolina and three Phytophthora species. While most of the endophytessuppressed pathogen growth in dual culture and exhibited potential as biological control agents, one fungal endophyte A22F1, (Nigrospora sphaerica) was evaluated further in growth chamber and greenhouse experiments in which it markedly reduced Phytophthora capsici root rot on three pepper cultivars ‘California Wonder’, ‘Pepper Cayenne’ and ‘Numex Primarvera’. Thus, endophyte A22F1 has high potential as a biological control agent for P. capsiciin pepper. It’s in vitro bioactivity displayed against F. solani, F. oxysporum, and M. phaseolina requireadditional in vivo studies on susceptible hosts.

Postharvest ultraviolet-C (UV-C) treatment reduces decay and maintains quality of bell peppers

The effects of pre-storage UV-C illumination on fungal decay and postharvest quality of California Wonder type bell peppers were investigated. Fruits were exposed to UV-C dosages at 1.3, 2.4 and 3.6 kJ.m-2 and stored at 8°C temperature with 90-95% relative humidity for 38 days. Untreated fruits were used as control. Changes in weight, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, decay and respiration rates of bell peppers were examined during storage. All UV-C dosages tested reduced the percentage of decay compared to control. Most promising UV-C dose was found to be as 3.6 kJ.m-2 in controlling storage decays in bell peppers. Besides, respiration rate of control fruits were higher than those of irradiated bell peppers within 24 h at 20°C. But, by the end of the 7 days at 20°C, CO2 production rates were relatively similar.

Distributions of the Stereoisomers of β-Mercaptoheptanones and β-Mercaptoheptanols in Cooked Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum).

2-Mercapto-4-heptanone, 4-mercapto-2-heptanone, and the corresponding mercaptoalcohols, previously identified in cooked red bell pepper (Capsicum annuum), were used as examples to determine the distributions of stereoisomers of naturally occurring polyfunctional thiols. The thiols were isolated using simultaneous distillation-extraction and enriched by affinity chromatography. Enantioselective analysis was performed via multidimensional gas chromatography. For the studied cultivar California Wonder, the investigation of different batches of cooked red bell pepper revealed consistent ratios of the stereoisomers independent of origin and date of purchase. Quantitative estimations showed that the stereoisomers were present in cooked red bell peppers at concentrations in the range of 0.04-10.2 μg/kg. Lower concentrations were observed in cooked green bell peppers. The change from green to red color was also accompanied by shifts in the proportions of stereoisomers in favor of the (S)-enantiomers of the mercaptoheptanones and of the (4S)-configured stereoisomers of 4-mercapto-2-heptanol.

Crecimiento y eficiencia fotoquímica del fotosistema ii en plántulas de 2 variedades de Capsicum annuum L. inoculadas con rizobacterias u hongos micorrícicos arbusculares

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are a biological alternative for the sustainable management of Capsicum annuum L. This research work evaluated the effects of both PGPR and AMF on bell pepper and jalapeno pepper plants. Five bacterial strains isolated from several locations in Estado de Mexico were used: [P61 (Pseudomonas tolaasii), A46 (P. tolaasii), R44 (Bacillus pumilus), BSP1.1 (Paenibacillus sp.), and OLs-Sf5 (Pseudomonas sp.)], and three treatments with AMF [H1 (consortium isolated from pepper crops in the State of Puebla), H2 (Rhizophagus intraradices), and H3 (consortium isolated from the rhizosphere of lemon trees, State of Tabasco)]. In addition, a fertilized treatment (Steiner nutrient solution at 25%) and an unfertilized control were included. Seedlings of “Caloro” jalapeno pepper and “California Wonder” bell pepper were inoculated with AMF at seed sowing, and PGPR were inoculated after 15 days of seedling emergence; seedlings were grown under plant growth chamber conditions. P61 bacterium and H1 AMF consortia were the most effective microorganisms for jalapeno pepper whereas R44 bacterium and AMF H3 and H1 were the most effective for bell peppers, when compared to the unfertilized control. Furthermore, P61 and R44 bacteria showed beneficial effects on PSII efficiency.