Utilization of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus in Tomato Crop: Interaction with Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization

Nelson Ceballos-Aguirre, Gloria M. Restrepo (), Sergio Patiño, Jorge A. Cuéllar and Óscar J. Sánchez
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Nelson Ceballos-Aguirre: Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidad de Caldas, Manizales 170004, Colombia
Gloria M. Restrepo: Faculty of Health Sciences, Research Institute in Microbiology and Agro-Industrial Biotechnology, Universidad Católica de Manizales, Manizales 170002, Colombia
Sergio Patiño: Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidad de Caldas, Manizales 170004, Colombia
Jorge A. Cuéllar: Faculty of Health Sciences, Research Institute in Microbiology and Agro-Industrial Biotechnology, Universidad Católica de Manizales, Manizales 170002, Colombia
Óscar J. Sánchez: Center for Technological Development—Bioprocess and Agro-Industry Plant, Department of Engineering, Universidad de Caldas, Manizales 170004, Colombia

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 11, 1-30

Abstract: Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus is a nitrogen-fixing bacterium capable of colonizing different host plants. This work evaluated the impact of Colombian native isolate G. diazotrophicus GIBI029 on tomato yield and quality in response to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization levels. The experiment was conducted under semi-controlled conditions using a split-plot design with four replicates and ten plants per treatment. Variables assessed included fruit count per plant, fruit weight, average fruit weight, production per plant, and yield. Application of GIBI029 without fertilization resulted in a higher number and weight of fruits per plant across harvests (7.1 fruits, 509.2 g) compared to both the unfertilized control (4.8 fruits, 271.7 g) and with complete nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization (5.2 fruits, 288.8 g). The behavior of these variables were similar for GIBI029 and complete fertilization (7.0 fruits and 510.7 g per harvest). The highest yields were obtained with GIBI029 without fertilization (106.1 t ha −1 ) and with full nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization (106.4 t ha −1 ). Under the evaluated conditions, native G. diazotrophicus GIBI029 isolate could effectively improve tomato growth and yield in contrast to the controls. Based on these findings, the reproducibility of this behavior should be confirmed, and the mechanisms involved in the plant–bacteria interaction should be determined.

Keywords: Colombian native isolate; fruit count per plant; fruit weight per plant; greenhouse cultivation; nitrogen fixation; plant growth-promoting bacteria; Solanum lycopersicum; yield (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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