Cultivated Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) and Wild Strawberry (Duchesneaindica) Rhizosphere associated Microbes as Inoculants to Promote Early Vegetative Growth of Strawberry

The effect of cultivated (Fragaria x ananassa) and wild strawberry (Duchesnea indica) rhizosphere microbes on the growth of strawberry (var. chandler) was investigated in a glasshouse experiment. Four bacterial (B1-B4) and three fungal (F1-F3) strains isolated from the cultivated strawberry rhizosphere and two bacterial (B5 and B6) strains isolated from the wild strawberry rhizosphere were used as inoculants. The recommended dosage of chemical fertilizer (CF) was used as the reference treatment while the control was maintained without adding microbes or CF. The pH of the growth media and nitrogenase activity of strains were measured. Microbes were morphologically and biochemically characterized. According to the results, all strains showed acidic pHs. Only the strain, B2 showed nitrogenase activity. Total plant and shoot biomass of strawberry were significantly (p 0.05) improved by B1, B2, B4 and F2, while root biomass was improved (p 0.05) by strains, B2 and B4. Petiole length was significantly increased (p 0.05) with B1, F1 and F2. All fungal isolates were belonged to the genus Aspergillus. Bacterial strains B1, B2 and B4 were identified as Bacillus sp. , Enterobactor sp. and Pseudomonas sp. , respectively. Other bacterial strains were not identified. The findings show the ability of rhizosphere isolates to improve early vegetative growth of strawberry, highlighting their significance as potential biofertilizers.