Alteration of tomato fruit quality by root inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR):: Bacillus subtilis BEB-13bs

In this study the effect of inoculation of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) roots with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on yield and fruit quality was evaluated. The control treatment was non-inoculated (CTL) and the PGPR treatment was inoculated with Bacillus subtilis BEB-ISbs (BS13). Yield per plant and marketable yield, as well as fruit weight and length were increased by the BS13 treatment when compared to the CTL treatment. Texture of red fruits was also enhanced by the BS13 treatment compared to that in the CTL treatment. These results demonstrated that PGPR have positive effects on tomato fruit quality attributes, particularly on size and texture. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.