PGPR CAPACITY OF Rhizobium ON Lycopersicon esculentum Miller. (TOMATO)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of 19 Rhizobium strains on seed germination and growth of Lycopersicon esculentum plants. The effect of Rhizobium on germination was determined by inoculating the seeds with dense suspensions of Rhizobium and germinating them in sterilized sand. The effect of Rhizobium on tomato plants was studied in growth chamber conditions using a sandy loam soil, with pH 7.3. A completely random design was used with 21 treatments (19 strains, a control without inoculating nor chemical fertilization and a control with only chemical fertilization) and four repetitions. Strains PEVF02, PEVF03, PEVF05, PEVF08, PEVF09, PEVF10, PEPSM12, PEPSM15 and PEPSM17 stimulated the germination of tomato seeds, whereas strains PEVF01, PEVF02, PEVF03, PEVF04, PEVF08 and PEPSM14 promoted the growth of tomato plants (esculentum). Strains PEVF02 and PEVF08 had a significant positive effect on germination and growth of tomato plants; thus these strains could be recommended as potential PGPR for this crop, as an alternative for reducing the use of chemical fertilizers.