Nitrogen (N) is a macronutrient desired by crop plants in large quantities. However, hiking fertilizer prices need alternative N sources for reducing its requirements through appropriate management practices. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are well-known for their role in lowering N requirements of crop plants. This study assessed the impact of PGPR inoculation on growth, allometry and biochemical traits of chili under different N doses. Two PGPR, i.e., Azospirillum 'Er-20' (nitrogen fixing) and Agrobacterium 'Ca-18' (phosphorous solubilizing) were used for inoculation, while control treatment had no PGPR inoculation. Six N doses, i.e., 100, 80, 75, 70, 60 and 50% of the N required by chili were included in the study. Data relating to growth traits, biochemical attributes and yield related traits were recorded. Interaction among N doses and PGPR inoculation significantly altered all growth traits, biochemical attributes and yield related traits. The highest values of the recorded traits were observed for 100% N with and without PGPR inoculation and 75% N with PGPR inoculation. The lowest values of the recorded traits were noted for 50% N without PGPR inoculation. The PGPR inoculation improved the measured traits compared to the traits recorded noted in same N dose without PGPR inoculation. Results revealed that PGPR had the potential to lower 25% N requirement for chili. Therefore, it is recommended that PGPR must be used in chili cultivation to lower N requirements.

Biology Department College of Science Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Department of Biotechnology College of Science Taif University Taif Saudi Arabia

Department of Botany and Plant Physiology Faculty of Agrobiology Food and Natural Resources Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Czech Republic

Department of Horticulture Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan Pakistan

Department of Land Management Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia UPM Serdang Selangor Malaysia

Institute of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology MNS University of Agriculture Multan Multan Pakistan

Plant Production Department Alexandria University Alexandria Egypt

PLoS One. 2022 Oct 21;17(10):e0275965. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275965. PubMed

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