YIELD ENHANCEMENT OF HYDROPONICALLY GROWN TOMATOES BY RHIZOBACTERIA

The objective of this study was to evaluate possible effects of inoculation with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria –PGPR- on yield of tomato plants grown in perlite. Different native bacterial strains from the collection of the Department of Plant Protection, Agricultural Faculty of Ege University (18/1K: Pseudomonas putida, 62: Serratia marcescens, 70: Pseudomonas fluorescens, 66/3: Bacillus spp.) were compared with a commercial product (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB24) and control (without bacteria inoculation). Rhizobacteria inoculation took place before sowing and after transplanting. Seedling production was realised in a commercial nursery. Plant growing experiments were conducted as short term production during fall (September 1, 2005 – January 21, 2006) and spring (February 28 – July 3, 2006) in a PE covered greenhouse. The experimental design was randomized blocks with 4 replicates. Total and marketable yield as harvested fruit weight and number were recorded. The results showed that Bacillus spp. strain 66/3 was effective for increasing tomato yield. Increase in marketable yield in this treatment was determined as 37 and 18% compared to control in fall and spring, respectively.