Rhizophagus irregularis and Nitrogen Fixing Azotobacter with a Reduced Rate of Chemical Fertilizer Application Enhances Pepper Growth along with Fruits Biochemical and Mineral Composition

Meenakshi Sharma, Vandana Sharma, Anil Kumar Delta and Prashant Kaushik
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Meenakshi Sharma: Department of Chemistry, Ranchi University, Ranchi 834001, India
Vandana Sharma: Department of Biotechnology, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut 250110, India
Anil Kumar Delta: Department of Chemistry, Ranchi University, Ranchi 834001, India
Prashant Kaushik: Kikugawa Research Station, Yokohama Ueki, 2265, Kikugawa 439-0031, Japan

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: Bell pepper is an important vegetable crop containing lots of bioactive compounds. The present study was designed to improve the productivity and quality of bell pepper with the application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi ( Rhizophagus irregularis ) and plant growth-promoting bacteria ( Azotobacter chroococcum ) in a combination of chemical fertilizer. Five treatments consisted of 75% chemical fertilizer (T1), 100% chemical fertilizer (T2), 75% chemical fertilizer + R. irregularis (T3), 75% chemical fertilizer + A . chroococcum (T4) and 75% chemical fertilizer + R. irregularis + A . chroococcum (T5). Out of 18 morphological parameters, 11 morphometric fruit parameters were recorded in detail by a tomato analyzer. The morphological and biochemical (TSS, ascorbic acid and capsaicin content) attributes of bell pepper were recorded higher in the case of a mixed consortium of chemical fertilizers having R. irregularis and A . chroococcum . Similarly, the amount of mineral content recorded was highest after 75% chemical fertilizer + R. irregularis + A . chroococcum, followed by the treatment with only 100% chemical fertilizer. The root mycorrhization (%) and the number of spores were observed highest in 75% chemical fertilizer + R. irregularis + A . chroococcum , and there was no mycorrhization and spore formation in 75% CF, 100% CF and 75% CF+AC. The treatment involving 75% chemical fertilizer + R. irregularis + A . chroococcum proved better for pepper’s growth, yield and yield-related traits.

Keywords: bell pepper; Rhizophagus irregularis; Azotobacter; tomato analyzer; mineral content (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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