GROWTH PARAMETERS OF BLUEBERRY (<i>Vaccinium</i> spp.) PLANTS INOCULATED WITH <i>Pseudomonas fluorescens</i>

The production and consumption of blueberry have increased in Mexico owing to its health benefits. Symbiotic relationships have been shown to be crucial in blueberry plants. In particular, phytohormone production by Pseudomonas fluorescens is an important mechanism of plant growth promotion. However, there are only a few reports on the effects of plant growth-promoting bacteria in blueberries. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of four strains of P. fluorescens (UM16, UM240, UM256, and UM270) and two types of slow-release fertilizer (nitrophosphate and basacote) on the development of blueberry var. Biloxi under greenhouse conditions. Blueberry seedlings obtained from in vitro culture and adapted under greenhouse conditions were inoculated with 1 x 106 CFU with any of the four strains, depending on treatment. Plants inoculated showed increased average plant length, plant fresh weight, root length, and root fresh and dry weight, compared with those with the control treatment (non-inoculated plants). The plants inoculated and fertilized with nitrophosphate had a better development compared with those fertilized with basacote or the control plants (inoculated or fertilized). Inoculated plants fertilized with nitrophosphate also had greater plant length, higher fresh plant weight, longer roots, and greater root fresh and dry weight than the control (non-inoculated or non-fertilized plants). Our study could facilitate the sustainable propagation of blueberry plants.