Phosphorus is a vital nutrient for plant growth, and maintaining adequate levels in the soil is crucial for maximizing agricultural productivity. The use of biofertilizers serves as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to expensive chemical fertilizers. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of bio-phosphorus fertilizers and triple superphosphate compared to a phosphorus-free control (the control group), along with examining the interaction of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (Pseudomonas putida) on the quantitative and qualitative traits of tomatoes. The experiment was conducted as a factorial design with two factors in a completely randomized layout with three replications. The treatments included the use of phosphorus fertilizers and bacterial inoculation. The fertilizer treatments consisted of five levels: a phosphorus-free control, triple superphosphate at concentrations of 20 and 40 mg/kg, and bio-phosphorus in the form of meat powder at two concentrations of 20 and 40 mg/kg. The bacterial treatment included two levels: non-inoculated and inoculated. The highest fruit length was observed during bacterial inoculation with meat powder at both 20 and 40 mg/kg compared to the control group. Additionally, bacterial inoculation combined with meat powder at 40 mg/kg resulted in the highest fresh and dry weight of the shoot, fruit diameter, and relative leaf water content compared to the control. Triple superphosphate at 20 mg/kg, along with both concentrations of meat powder during bacterial inoculation, showed the highest fresh and dry root weight. Overall, among various phosphorus sources, meat powder at 40 mg/kg had a more significant effect on improving the growth traits of tomatoes, while bacterial inoculation did not significantly enhance fruit weight and single-plant yield compared to non-inoculation.
Haghighi M, Jalali M. Effect of phosphorus fertilizers and bacterial inoculation on yield, growth, and physiology of tomato. IJHST 2026; 27 (2) :135-156 URL: http://journal-irshs.ir/article-1-692-en.html