2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Microbial inoculants may increase soil microbial populations, enhance nutrient availability and uptake, and improve plant health. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a microbial inoculant on bell pepper plant growth and fruit yield. The experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Farm, Univ. of Georgia, Tifton, GA, in the spring of 2016. The soil of experimental area is a sandy loam with a pH of about 6.5 and ca. 0.5% organic matter content. No fumigant was applied to soil before planting. Bell pepper (‘PS 09942815’, Seminis) plants were transplanted in the field on 13 Apr. The experimental design was a randomized complete design, with two treatments and five replications. Plants were drip-irrigated and grown on raised beds (1.8 m) covered with black plastic mulch; fertilization was with chemical fertilizers. Treatments were (a) untreated (water), and (b) treated with a microbial inoculant (Inocucor; 10% Bacillus subtilis, 10% Saccharomyces cerevisae). Inoculant was applied directly to transplants in the tray before transplanting, immediately after transplanting, and at first flower. Results showed that stem diameter, plant vigor, incidence of phytophthora blight, leaf net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, Photosystem II efficiency, and photosynthetic water use efficiency were not affected by the microbial inoculant. Marketable and total yields and individual fruit weight were not significantly influenced by microbial inoculant. In conclusion, microbial inoculant had no significant effect on bell pepper plant growth and function, incidence of phytophthora blight, fruit yields, fruit size, or incidences of blossom-end rot and sunscald.