Effects of Endophytice Bacteria Applications on Pepper Seedlings Growth of under Different Drought-Stress Conditions

Abstract

The study was carried out as a pot experiment in controlled conditions in order to reveal the effect of endophyte bacteria (EB) applications on the development of pepper seedlings grown under different drought stress. Mostar F1 was used as pepper variety. Applied endophyte bacterial isolates were Ochrobactrum sp. (CB36/1) and Bacillus sp. (CA41/1). The EB application was applied twice (first application 10 ml- second application 15 ml) at a density of 109 cfu/ml. All pots were irrigated regularly for 52 days after seed sowing. While irrigation was continued at 2-day intervals in control (B0) applications, four and eight days drougth stresses were applied in the second (B1) and last (B2) application. As plant growth parameters, stem diameter, shoot length and root length, shoot fresh and dry weights, leaf number, root fresh and root dry weight were examined. It has been determined that the effects of B1 and B2 stress applications on plant growth were generally negative. It has been determined that endophyte bacteria applications have relatively positive effects against the negativity caused by different drought stresses.