Effects of PGPR Bacteria Applications on Soil Properties, Plant Growth and Yield Values in Karaerik and Narince Grape Varieties

Abstract

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are beneficial bacteria that promote plant growth by adhering to the root surfaces in the rhizosphere region of plants. In addition to improving the physical properties of soils, these bacteria increase plant growth and yield by positively affecting nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubility, water and nutrient uptake of plants. In this study, the effects of bacteria applications on the vegetative development and yield levels of Karaerik and Narince grape varieties, which are important table varieties of Erzincan and Tokat regions, grown in greenhouses in Erzurum central conditions were investigated. In the study, 4 different bacterial combinations (Pseudomonas chlororaphis + Paenibacillus pabuli + Bacillus simplex + Pseudomonas fluorescens) that promote plant growth were applied to the plant root zone as a solution. In the study, the effects of PGPR applications on the vegetative growth of vines, some pomological characteristics, yield levels, macronutrient contents of leaves and physical and chemical properties of greenhouse soils were determined. While aggregate stability and porosity values of PGPR treated soils increased, water permeability and bulk density values decreased. Bacterial applications in both grape varieties showed a positive effect on shoot length, shoot diameter, number of nodes, berry width, berry length, cluster width, cluster length, number of seeds, number of clusters, cluster weight, number of berries, berry weight, total yield and macronutrient content of leaves. According to the control group, PGPR applied soils; organic matter content increased by 76.2%, aggregate stability values increased by 49.5% and porosity by 5.5%, while water permeability decreased by 18.3% and bulk density by 3.9%. Depending on the application, it was determined that the yield increased by 42.8% in Karaerik grape variety and 35.7% in Narince grape variety.