Influence of Bioprotector Produced by Interspecific Microbial Inoculation on Green Pepper Characteristics and Nutrient Uptake
The aim of this study was to produce PK rock biofertilizer with Acidithiobacillus mixed with earthworm compound inoculated with free-living diazotrophic bacteria (NPKB) and bioprotector (NPKP) that introduce in NPKB the fungi chitosan by inoculation of Cunninghamella elegans. A field experiment was carried out in a Brazilian tableland soil at the rainy season (March-August, 2011) to evaluate the effects of NPKB and NPKP on green pepper (Capsicum annuum). The study was a factorial (8×2) conducted in split plot design with eight fertilizer treatments and two sub treatments (with and without crustaceous chitosan applied on leaves), with four replicates. The fertilizer treatments were: mineral fertilizers (NPKF) at the recommended rate (RR); Biofertilizer (NPKB) at three rates (50% RR, 100% RR, 150% RR); Bioprotector (NPKP) at three rates (50% RR, 100% RR; 150% RR); Control with earthworm compound (2.4 L plant-1). The best fruit yield was obtained with the highest rate of PNPK and NPKB application. There were significant influences in nutrient uptake by the different fertilization treatments. In the experiment, no case of soft rot disease was observed; therefore, it was not possible to compare the treatments in this respect. The results indicate a great potential for PK rock biofertilizer with free-living diazotrophic bacteria (NPKB) and bioprotector with fungi chitosan (NPKB + C. elegans) as an alternative to NPK fertilization.
