2018 ASHS Annual Conference

In this study, we investigated the effects of bacteria and methylamine on fruit yield and plant growth of squash (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Sakız) under different irrigations levels. For this purpose; three bacteria strains (Bacillus megaterium TV-91C, Bacillus megaterium TV-6D, Bacillus subtilis RK-1900), the product of methylamine (MA), and a control (no bacteria+MA) were used as treatments. Four irrigation levels (Full-irrigation; 100%, 85% of the full-irrigation, 70% of the full-irrigation, and 55% of the full-irrigation) were applied to plants in the field.

The effect of treatments on parameters such as yield per plant, fruit number, fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit size, leaf chlorophyll reading value, fruit TSS, vitamin C, and fruit dry matter was statistically significant. In particular, drought stress significantly reduced these parameters. However, these reductions were lower with bacteria+MA applications. In severe drought stress conditions, generally better results were obtained with TV6D+MA application for fruit number, fruit yield, fruit weight, fruit length, plant dry weight, and chlorophyll reading value. On the other hand, RK1900+MA application increased fruit diameter, vitamin C, and fruit dry matter under severe drought stress. Plant fresh weight, stem diamete,r and leaf number were increased with TV91C+MA application under severe drought compared to other applications. With full irrigation, TV6D+MA and RK1900+MA applications showed the greatest increase in fresh and dry weights as compared to the control treatment.

We have observed that the negative effect of drought stress on the growth and fruit of squash was more affordable with the application of bacteria+MA as compared to the control. This research reveals that application of bacteria together with MA enhances tolerance capability against drought stress, and they can be used for reducing the deleterious effects of drought conditions on yield and growth of squash as an eco-friendly approach.