Effect of Microbial Fertilizer on The Development of Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Seedlings Exposed to Salt Stress

Abstract

Salinity is an important abiotic stress factor that negatively affects plant growth and yield. The study, the effect of microbial fertilizer containing Bacillus subtilis bacteria, commercially named Subtima, on salt stress in pepper was observed. Two different saline solutions (100 mM and 200 mM) were prepared to create salt stress in the plant growing medium. The fertilizer solution was applied to the plants in 4 different concentrations (300, 400, 500 and 600 ppm) from the leaves in the form of a spray. Morphological parameters such as plant height, stem length, leaf length, leaf width, and petiole length were measured. It was found that salt stress resulted in a decrease in plant morphological characteristics compared to the control group (0 mM salt + 0 ppm fertilizer). It was found that the most effective fertilizer dose to increase plant height (25.23 cm) at 100 mM salt stress was 400 ppm. At 200 mM salt stress, it was found that the most effective fertilizer dose for increasing plant height (22.67 cm) was an application of 300 ppm application. In general, fertilizer applications were found to be effective in reducing the negative effects of salt on the morphological traits studied.