Fruit yield and quality of strawberry plants cultivated in substrate with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Ascophyllum nodosum, and Trichoderma harzianum

Rice-Based Trichoderma Inocula Enhance Fruit Production of Cutleaf Groundcherry (Physalis angulata L.) in the Amazon

In Amazonian Spodosols, soil acidity and nutrient constraints limit the cultivation of cutleaf groundcherry. One sustainable alternative for cultivating this species is the use of Trichoderma inoculants, but studies on their use in this crop are scarce. This study evaluated whether rice-based inocula of Trichoderma harzianum (TH) CCB-LA101 and T. viride (TV) CCB-LA103 improved growth and fruit production of cutleaf groundcherry and whether the responses varied with the application dose. Plants were grown in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement: two Trichoderma species and three inoculum doses applied to the soil (0, 4, and 8 g plant−1; Trichoderma concentration of 3.2 × 109 CFU g−1). Species and dose affected fruit width, length, number, and yield, with TH more effective than TV at increasing fruit number and yield. The contrast between inoculated and non-inoculated plants was significant for all traits. The 8 g plant−1 dose significantly increased fruit number and yield by 22.8% and 17.7%, respectively, relative to the non-inoculated control, whereas fruit width and fruit length decreased by 8.3% and 7.3%, respectively. Considering the six treatment combinations, the 8 g plant−1 TH inoculum (TH8) was the only treatment to significantly increase fruit yield, with net returns for smallholders estimated at USD 1104.46 ha−1. Therefore, under the tested conditions, TH8 could be used to grow cutleaf groundcherry in Amazonian Spodosols.

Combined Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria, and Mineral Fertilization on the Physiological, Biochemical, and Nutritional Properties of Chilaca Chili Pepper (Capsicum annum L.)

Pepper fruits contain diverse primary and secondary metabolites, including ascorbic acid, carotenoids, phenolics, and flavonoids, which contribute to nutritional quality, antioxidant capacity, coloration, and consumer acceptance. Chilaca chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a Mexican cultivar valued for its distinctive flavor and pungency, representing a valuable resource for studying fruit quality and sustainable crop improvement. This study evaluated the individual and combined effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on growth, physiological responses, antioxidant activity, and fruit quality traits. Twelve treatments in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial designs were evaluated for chlorophyll, soluble solids, biomass, APX and LOX activities, and vitamin C and capsaicin contents at three ripening stages (green, mid-red, and red). Enzyme activities were determined spectrophotometrically, and bioactive compounds were quantified from methanolic fruit extracts. Microbial inoculation primarily improved fruit physiological quality rather than vegetative growth. Biomass and growth traits showed no significant differences among treatments (p > 0.05), whereas biochemical responses exhibited distinct ripening-dependent patterns. APX activity, vitamin C, and capsaicin increased from green to mid-red stages and declined at full ripeness. Bacillus sp.-based treatments (T1 and T2) produced a significant transient increase in LOX activity during mid-ripening, while T7 showed a similar but weaker response. AMF progressively enhanced LOX activity and capsaicin accumulation in green fruits. PGPR effects were strain-dependent, with Bacillus sp. promoting early capsaicin accumulation and A. deleyi favoring higher levels during advanced ripening. Overall, AMF and PGPR differentially regulate antioxidant metabolism, vitamin C accumulation, and capsaicinoid biosynthesis while interacting with mineral fertilization to improve fruit quality. These findings support beneficial microorganisms as sustainable tools for enhancing nutrient-use efficiency and fruit nutritional and functional value without replacing mineral fertilization.

Enhancing growth, yield, and fruit quality of Kulai chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) using selected plant growth regulators

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) offer a potential means of improving chilli productivity by regulating vegetative growth, flowering, fruit development, and biochemical quality. This study evaluated the responses of Kulai chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) to foliar applications of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA; 20 and 40 mg L⁻¹), gibberellic acid (GA₃; 10 and 20 mg L⁻¹), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA; 25 and 50 mg L⁻¹) under rain-shelter conditions in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomised design comprising seven treatments, including a water-sprayed control, with five replications. Treatments were applied at 30 and 45 days after transplanting. Plant growth, flowering, fruit maturity, yield, fruit characteristics, capsaicin content, and vitamin C content were evaluated. GA₃ at 20 mg L⁻¹ produced the tallest plants throughout the cultivation period, reaching 79.4 cm at 90 days after transplanting. IAA at 50 mg L⁻¹ induced the earliest flowering and fruit maturity, reducing the time to the final maturity index from 50.4 days in the control to 41.8 days after anthesis. However, NAA at 40 mg L⁻¹ produced the most favourable overall response, increasing cumulative yield per plant by 61.9% relative to the control and producing the greatest fruit weight and length. This treatment also resulted in the highest capsaicin and vitamin C contents. Seed number per fruit was not significantly affected by the treatments. These findings demonstrate that PGR responses are trait-specific: GA₃ primarily enhanced vegetative growth, IAA accelerated crop development, and NAA at 40 mg L⁻¹ provided the best balance between earliness, yield, and fruit quality. Further multi-season and multi-location validation is required before commercial application.

Growth promotion in tomato by endophytic entomopathogenic and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: impacts on early development and post-transplant effect.

The results indicate that early inoculation with B. bassiana and R. irregularis can be an effective strategy to improve plant development, although additional studies are required to evaluate long-term effects and final yield.

Enhancing Fruiting, Yield, and Quality of Litchi with the Use of Gibberellic Acid and Zinc Sulphate

An experiment was conducted during 2025 at the Horticulture Garden, Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, to evaluate the effects of gibberellic acid (GA₃) and zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄), applied alone or in combination, on fruiting, yield and quality of 66-year-old litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) cv. Rose Scented trees. Nine treatments were evaluated in a randomised block design with three replications, using one tree per treatment unit. A single foliar spray was applied after fruit set, and observations were recorded at 15-day intervals until harvest. The combined treatment GA₃ at 50 ppm + ZnSO₄ at 1.0% (T₉) produced the highest fruit counts at the pit-hardening (30.15) and ripening (24.59) stages, fruit length (4.56 cm), fruit diameter (4.59 cm), fruit weight (19.49 g), pulp weight (13.99 g), pulp: stone ratio (4.70), total sugar (14.83%), total soluble solids (22.97 °Brix), sugar: acid ratio (36.66) and fruit yield (53.06 kg/tree). It also recorded the lowest fruit cracking (1.68%), seed weight (2.98 g), rind weight (2.46 g) and titratable acidity (0.404%). T₈ (GA₃ at 50 ppm + ZnSO₄ at 0.5%) generally ranked next. These results indicate that a single post-fruit-set foliar application of GA₃ at 50 ppm with ZnSO₄ at 1.0% may improve fruit retention, quality and yield of cv. Rose Scented under the sub-tropical plains of Central Uttar Pradesh.

Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Yield, Fruit Quality, and Physiological Traits of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. ‘Dasheri’