Comparative study of plant growth‐promoting bacteria on the physiology, growth and fruit quality of strawberry

Abstract BACKGROUND The strawberry ( Fragari a × ananassa Duch.) is, among small fruits, the most cultivated and commercialized in Portugal. Recent studies have evidenced the positive effect of plant growth‐promoting bacteria (PGPB) inoculation on strawberry production and, at the same time, provided an alternative strategy to reduce the use of fertilizers. In this study the effects of root inoculation with three PGPB strains ( Pedobacter sp. CC1, Bacillus safensis B106 and Bacillus subtilis B167A) on the physiology, growth, fruit production and quality of strawberry cv. Camarosa are presented. RESULTS PGPB inoculation significantly accelerated crop maturation, with inoculated plants fruiting about 2 weeks earlier than non‐inoculated plants. Inoculated plants with Pedobacter sp. CC1 and Bacillus safensis B106 influenced the gas exchange parameters of strawberry plants. The contents of total phenolics and flavonoids in strawberry leaves were found to be greater with Pedobacter sp. CC1, when compared with non‐inoculated plants. Furthermore, plants inoculated with the same bacterial strain showed enhancement in the dimensions of fruits, especially fruit length, and shape as well as in the total soluble solids content (°Brix). CONCLUSIONS The results showed that the PGPB Pedobacter sp. CC1 improved performance of strawberry plants, suggesting that it could be a potential biofertilizer for strawberry plant nutrition. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry