Rhizobacteria promoted yield of cucumber plants grown in perlite under Fusarium wilt stress

This study was carried out to determine the effects of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Sardes F1) production in perlite under unheated greenhouse conditions. Four native bacterial strains (18/1K: Pseudomonas putida, 62: Serratia marcescens, 66/3: Bacillus spp., 70: Pseudomonas fluorescens) and one commercial product (FZB24: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) were tested. Rhizobacteria inoculation took place before sowing and after transplanting. Plants were affected by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cucumerinum occurred naturally and effects of PGPR on cucumber yield were found statistically significant. Plants inoculated with Pseudomonas putida strain 18/1K and Serratia marcescens strain 62 gave significantly higher yield compared to the control plants.

► We tested PGPR on cucumber production in perlite.
► Plants were affected by Fusarium wilt infested naturally.
► PGPR inoculated plants gave higher yield.
► Relationships were found between in vitro IAA production by PGPR and cucumber yield.