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Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Scientia Horticulturae
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/scihorti

Rhizosphere stochiometry, fruit yield, quality attributes and growth T

response to PGPR transplant amendments in strawberry (Fragaria ×
ananassa Duch.) growing on solarized soils
Pramod Kumara,*, Nisha Sharmab, Sandeep Sharmac, Rucku Guptad
a
YS Parmar UHF (Fruit Science), Nauni 173 230, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
b
YS Parmar UHF, Basic Sciences (Microbiological Section), Nauni 173 230, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
c
Punjab Agricultural University (Soil Science), Ludhiana, 141 004 Punjab, India,
d
SKUAST-J (Fruit Science), Chatha, 180 009 Jammu, India

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Keywords: Plant Growth Promoting Rhizosphere microorganisms transplant amedements were tested for improving growth,
Organic nutrients yield, quality traits, runner production and rhizosphere stochiometry of strawberry cv. Chandler. The plants
Root inoculation were grown on solarized and non-solarized organic matter rich soil. Exogenous root inoculation of six PGPR
Solubilizers inoculants viz., Pseudomonas florescence, Bacillus subtilis, Azotobacter chroococcum, K-mobilizing bacteria and AM
fungi were carried out in different combinations in a randomized completely block design with three replicates.
The solarization was done with transparent plastic sheet. Application of 250 g PGPRs consourtium along with
soil solarization significantly improved vegetative growth traits, rhizosphere microbial count, fruit number,
cumulative yield, fruit quality traits as compared to non-solarized (natural) conditions. Root soil ratio of resident
microbes at 15 cm depth was also worked out in the rhizosphere zone and non-rhizosphere zone. The data
suggested an increased rhizosphere acid- and alkaline phosphate and dehydrogenase enzyme activity can be
used as a good indicator of phosphorus nutrition in solarized organic soils compared to non-solarized (natural)
soils. The results suggested that PGPR inoculations could alleviate the deleterious effects of soil borne microbial
population on the phenological and pomological attributes of strawberry plants under organic growing solarized
soils. Root inoculation with PGPR probiotics significantly affected leaf nutrient concentration in terms of DOP
and ΣDOP indexes which showed an increase in N, P, K and Mg concentration in the leaves in solarized plots
compared to natural plots. Principal component analysis induced the differences at various PGPR probiotics
applied has identified maximum of the total variance based on the Eigen value (> 1) and explained 65.38%
(PC1), 79.68% (PC2), 88.05% (PC3) and 92.67% (PC4) of the cumulative variance. PC4 accounted for highest
total cumulative variances among fruit phenological, morphometric and generative potential strawberry traits.
The study indicated PGPR probiotics coupled with soil solarization as a promising technology to maintain
healthy rhizosphere, and as an alternative to chemicalised farming of strawberry to enhance quality production
in calcareous soils of Shiwalik foothills of north-west Himalayas.

1. Introduction
The cultivated strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa Duch., a perennial
herbaceous rosette, is one of the most valued soft fruits (berry) of the
world with desirable taste and an unique flavor. The berries are ex-
cellent dietary sources of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), potassium, fibers,
simple sugars, secondary metabolites including antioxidant agents such
as anthocyanins and other phenolic compounds. The nutritional and
dietary contents of such compounds are entirely dependent upon soil
fertility and health (Tulipani et al., 2008). It is one of the most re-
munerative and potential crops of the temperate world but the culti-
vation is also extending towards the sub-tropical zone conditions. In
India, now-a-days, the Shiwalik foothills lies in the north-west Hima-
layas has proved the boon to the farmers. The simultaneous infestation
of pests and diseases, soil borne pathogens, also plays havoc in its
successful cultivation. To consider this menace, inorganic chemicals
have long been in use, has checked the diseases occasionally but re-
sulted in residual harms. Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria

⁎
Corresponding author.
E-mail address: pk09sharma@rediffmail.com (P. Kumar).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2020.109215
Received 14 November 2019; Received in revised form 16 January 2020; Accepted 17 January 2020
0304-4238/ © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
P. Kumar, et al.
(PGPR) probiotics could be an alternative to improve the content of
these nutritive compounds along with cultivation for sustainable live-
lihood security. The impetus lies on use of organic amendments for
conservative crop cultivation. In organic crop production system, the
use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators and livestock feed
additives are avoided (Yavari et al., 2009). Biofertilization, crop rota-
tion, crop residues, animal manures, legumes, green manures, off-farm
organic wastes, mechanical cultivation, mineral-bearing rocks, and the
aspects of biological pest control to maintain soil productivity are
promoted. Earlier studies confirmed that resident microbial commu-
nities and/ or species associated with the rhizosphere is beneficial for
growth, fruit yield and crop quality improvement, as the PGPR. Plant-
associated PGPR cause beneficial effects are the ‘Plant Probiotics’ which
released and also triggers the metabolites directly to stimulate crop
growth through the synthesis of (i) phytohormones, auxins (Aslantas
et al., 2007), cytokinins (Garcia de Salamone et al., 2001), gibberellins
(Gutierrez-Manero et al., 2001) and inhibit the ethylene production (ii)
cause asymbiotic N2 fixation (Sahin et al., 2004) (iii) the solubilization
of inorganic phosphates and mineralization of organic phosphates
(Aslantas et al., 2007), (iv) the siderophores production and antag-
onistic against phytopathogenic microorganisms by synthesizing en-
zymes in rhizosphere area (Lucy et al., 2004). Plant probiotics con-
ferred beneficial specific effects towards plant health (Islam and
Hossain, 2012), colonize plant roots (Jiménez-Gómez et al., 2016),
growth promotion (Güneş et al., 2014), the efficient plant nutrition
(Yildirim et al., 2015) and thus, increases crop quality (García-Seco
et al., 2015). Although the relationships between host plants and PGPR
are documented (Bashan et al., 2004), and the subsequent effects of
PGPR inoculation on soil microorganisms have been investigated. Pre-
vious studies reported either no inoculation effect or significant effects
on the composition of the indigenous total bacterial communities and a
stimulation of the activity of AM fungi. Besides, several studies have
been conducted on the effects of PGPR on growth and productivity
under drought and salt (Woitke et al., 2004; Arshad et al., 2008;
Yildirim et al., 2008; Karlidag et al., 2011). Little information is
available about PGPR induced effects as elicitors of tolerance to high
calcareous solarized soils on the rhizospheric stochiometry. In the lit-
erature search, we found few reports on the use of these microorgan-
isms under solarization vis-a-vis moisture conservation practices in
organically grown strawberries. The present study, therefore, was
planned and focused with the objective to unravel the growth pro-
moting interactive effects of PGPR probiotics as transplant amendments
on cropping behaviour, resident microbial dynamics, crop load and
nutritional quality in high calcareous solarized soils of strawberry cv.
Chandler in Shiwalik foothills of north-west Himalayas.
2. Material and methods
2.1. Experimental set up
The experiment was conducted in the Research Farm of Regional
Horticultural Research and Training Station of YS Parmar University of
Horticulture and Forestry at Dhaulakuan, Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh,
India (Elevation: 468 m above mean sea level; latitude: 28°25′ North,
longitude: 75°48′ East). The experiment was carried out on ‘Chandler’
strawberry cultivar between the late September and October during the
cropping period of 2015 and 2016. The climate of the experimental
area was typically sub-tropical. The winters are cold and summers are
very hot. Maximum mean temperature was 39.5 °C, while the minimum
mean temperature was 17.3 °C during the growth period. The normal
annual rainfall is 1100 mm, which is unevenly distributed. The south
west monsoon contributes 90 per cent which sets in last week of June
and withdraws in middle of the September. July and August are rainy
months. Rest 10 per cent of the annual rainfall occurs in the non-
monsoon months in the wake of western disturbances and thunder
storms. Fog is regularly cast in the months of December and January.
2
Scientia Horticulturae 265 (2020) 109215
Frost is experienced occasionally. Cooler nights and fairly warmer days
enriched by deep sandy loam soil rich in humus (forest soils) have
provided novelty to the crop under Shiwalik foothills ranges of north-
west Himalayas.
2.2. The edaphic conditions
The experimental unit of 4 m × 2 m plot size comprised of 8 rows
0.5 m apart. The soil samples were also taken for analysis from 0 to
15 cm depth before the study. The experimental soil was sandy clay
loam in texture (sand: 38.2%, silt: 25.9%, clay: 30.6%) towards neutral
soil reaction (pH 6.89, 1:2 soil water suspension), 21 dS m−1 electrical
conductivity, 1.31 g cm−3 bulk density, organic carbon (4.5 g kg−1),
alkaline KMnO4 extractable-N (150.3 mg kg−1), available NaHCO3-ex-
tractable P (9.2 mg kg−1) and available NH4OAC-K (112.5 mg kg−1).
Diethylene-triamine-penta-acetic acid (DTPA)-extractable micro-
nutrient cations viz., zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe) and copper
(Cu) were 1.24, 36.3, 49.4 and 1.67 mg kg−1, respectively. The ex-
perimental soil contained an initial viable microbial population (clony
forming units, cfu) of Bacillus sp. (4.4 × 104 cfu g−1), Pseudomonas sp.
(11.2 × 104 cfu g−1), total soil fungi (10.1 × 104 cfu g−1), Azotobacter
chroococcum (10.6 × 104 cfu g−1) and actinobacteria (9.8 × 104 cfu
g−1). Before the establishment of the experimental platform, the ex-
perimental area was fallow, not previously used for the cultivation. Soil
was kept fallow to avoid any indigenous microbial population and
propagules in the root portions of the previous crop (stubbles). The
examination of native microflora in the experimental soil revealed very-
very less indigenous viable arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal popu-
lation.
2.3. Soil solarization
The experiment was conducted comprising moisture conservation
practice with transparent plastic mulch (solarized) and natural (grass
mulch) supplemented with bio-organic treatment in each soil plot.
Under set of treatment, each soil disinfestations practice was replicated
thrice. Soil sterilization was done for 4–6 weeks (1st May–20th June)
before planting. Thoroughly mixed potting mixture was spread as 60 cm
thick layer on the concrete floor. Mixture was completely drenched
with water followed by covering with 100 μm thick UV stabilized
polythene sheets in summer months (May-June) when atmospheric
temperature is very high. Trenches of size 45–60 cm deep were dug
around the perimeter and between the experimental plots to bury in the
soil to make them air-tight. To increase the transmission of heat
through the soil and make other resting structures more sensitive to
high temperature, the soil was smoothly maintained on the surface and
irrigated prior to solarization to the saturation level to facilitate better
solar heat movement. The edges of polythene sheet were completely
sealed with soil to avoid vapor loss. The transparent plastic polythene
sheet of 100 μm thickness was used to cover the appropriate experi-
mental plot. The individual effect of mulch materials used was also
recorded both in solarized (organic) and natural experimental plots.
2.4. Microbial probiotics and field trial
Six PGPR transplant amedements, i.e. Pseudomonas florescence,
Bacillus subtilis, Azotobacter chroococcum, K-mobilizers, the consortium
of PGPR and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) including the con-
sortium of Glomus fasciculatum, G. clarum, G. mosseae, were included in
the study. The treatments comprised of the combinations namely, T1-
250 g AMF+125g A. chroococcum; T2-150 g A. chroococcum+150 g K-
mobilizers; T3-250 g PGPRs consourtium; T4-150 g AMF+125 g B.
subtilis+150 g K-mobilizers; T5-150 g P. florecence+ 125 g A. chroo-
coccum+125 g K-mobilizers; T6-150 g AMF+125 g A. chroococcum
+125 g K-mobilizers; T7-Recommended dose of feriizers (N:P:K,
80:40:40); T8 (uninoculated control). The experiment was replicated
P. Kumar, et al.
thrice in Randomized Block Design. Twenty-five plants in each re-
plication (75 plants in total in treatment) were inoculated with PGPR
probiotics transplant amendments. The uniform plantlets (runners)
were planted on 1st September 2015 on raised nursery and mulched
beds spaced at 30 x 60 cm using double-row planting method (Guleryuz
et al., 1997), accommodated 25 plantlets on each raised nursery bed
(55,000 plantlets in one hectare). The probiotics application was per-
formed using a dipping method in which plant roots were inoculated
with the microbial suspensions at the concentration of 109 cfu ml−1 in
sterile water for about 30 min prior to transplantation. Control plants
were dipped into sterile water. Prior to transplanting, the strawberry
runners were dipped in warm water (45 °C) for 10 min to prevent mite
infestation on plants during cropping period.
2.5. Sampling protocol and chemical studies
Rhizosphere area soil samples with at least four soil cores combined
to make a composite sample (weighed up to 1 kg) were collected con-
currently with each plant sampling at 0–15 cm soil depth using an auger
of 5 cm diameter in the rhizosphere of common vetch. The samples
were carefully taken to avoid the bands of the microbial probiotics
applied. The samples were air-dried in the shade, ground to pass
through a 2 mm sieve, stored in plastic bags. Subsequently, the samples
were stored at 4 °C for the enumeration of the cultivable resident mi-
crobial indicators. The chemical properties of soils were determined
according to standard methods. Soil pH and EC were measured in of
soil-water suspensions (1:2). Soil organic carbon (OC) was analyzed
according to Walkey and Black (1934) using wet oxidation method,
available N by alkaline potassium permanganate method (Subbiah and
Asija, 1956), Olsen P (0.5 M NaHCO3 extractable) by Olsen et al. (1954)
and1 N neutral ammonium acetate extractable K estimated using flame
photometery (Merwin and Peach, 1951). Exchangeable Ca and Mg were
determined according to ammonium acetate method suggested by Black
(1957). DTPA-extractable soil micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn), buffered
at pH 7.3 ± 0.05 were analyzed using atomic absorption spectro-
photometer (Lindsay and Norvell, 1978).
2.6. Microbial diversity in rhizosphere and bulk soils
To quantify resident microbial communities in rhizosphere soil, the
population of cultivable microbes was assessed. Viable plate count
method was used to monitor changes in population of inoculated PGPR
probiotics associated with plant roots. Each soil sample was analyzed in
three replicates. Pure and viable microbial count was isolated using
serial dilution technique on nutrient agar medium (Pseudomonas spp.,
Bacillus spp.), Martin’s Rose Bengal medium (soil fungi), Jensen’s N-free
agar medium (A. chroococcum), Kenknight and Munaires medium (ac-
tinobacteria). 10 g of soil from each sample was diluted at 1:10 (i.e.
10−1) and suspensions were homogenized for 1 h on a horizontal
shaker. After that serial dilutions were prepared, and 0.1 ml of dilutions
10−3, 10−4, 10−5, 10−6 and 10−7 dilution were used was spread on
specified medium (Subba Rao, 1993). The cfu were assessed after three
days’ of the incubation at 25 ± 2 °C and was expressed per gram (g−1)
of dry soil. AM fungal spores of were extracted from the rhizosphere
according to wet sieving and decanting technique (Gerdemann and
Nicolson, 1963). Total number of AM fungal spores was estimated ac-
cording to Gaur and Adholeya (1994), and the final spore count was
expressed as the number of spores per 50 g of soil.
2.7. Root soil Ratio and microbial biomass
Root soil (R/S) ratio of microbes was calculated by dividing the
indigenous microbial population in the rhizosphere zone (depth 15 cm)
by microbial population in the non-rhizosphere zone. Microbial bio-
mass-C (MBC) and microbial biomass-N (MBN) were also monitored
under different PGPR probiotics inoculated. MBC was estimated using
3
Scientia Horticulturae 265 (2020) 109215
chloroform-fumigation incubation method (Jenkinson and Ladd, 1981).
Fifty gram of soil sample was fumigated with chloroform, defumigated
and then incubated with 1 g fresh unfumigated soil. This was then in-
cubated for 10 days in the presence of NaOH in a vial suspended inside
the flask to trap the evolved CO2. Fifty gram of soil was also taken in
another beaker without chloroform fumigation and incubated similarly
in the presence of NaOH to trap the evolved CO2. MBC was determined
according to the equation: MBC= (Fc–UFc)/Kc, where, Fc= CO2
evolved from fumigated soil, UFc= CO2 evolved from unfumigated soil,
Kc = 0.45. The amount of MBN was also determined as per the equa-
tion: MBN= (FN–UFN)/KN, where, FN= NH4–N mineralized during 10
days from fumigated soil, UFN= NH4–N mineralized during 10 days
from unfumigated soil, KN = 0.54. All the parameters were expressed
on dry weight basis soil (Jenkinson, 1988).
2.8. Acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and dehydrogenase bioassay
A representative sample of moist soil (1 g), stored at -4 °C was
weighed in duplicates into polypropylene vials (5 replicate of sub-
samples). Acid (AcP) and alkaline phosphatase (AlP) activity was de-
termined using p-nitrophenol phosphate by adding 4 ml of a pH buffer
at pH 6.5 (acid phosphatase) and pH 11 (alkaline phosphatase), and
1 ml of 0.1 M disodium phenylphosphate as a substrate. Both enzymes
hydrolyzed p-nitrophenol phosphate to p-nitrophenyl and the bioassay
of phosphatase activity was done according to Tabatabai (1994). Mix-
ture of the polypropylene vials was incubated at 37 °C for 1 h. There-
after, at the end of incubation, 1 ml of 0.5 M CaCl2 and 4 ml of 0.5 M
NaOH were added, the mixture was filtered through Whatman filter
paper. The yellow color intensity of p-NP (supernatant) analyzed using
a UV spectrophotometer at wavelength of 420 nm for both AcP and AlP.
Absorbance of filtrates was compared with p-nitrophenol standards for
calculation of the results. Dehydrogenase (DHA) enzymatic activity in
soil was measured according to Casida (1977), and the accumulation of
the triphenyl formazan (TPF) was estimated.
2.9. Growth indexes and leaf chlorophylls
The plant height was measured at the interval of 60, 90 and 120
days of the crop growth and the average was taken. Several samplings
were taken from the plants at blooming time to the end of the cycle and
the last harvest stage. Ten randomly selected plants were taken from
each of the experimental sub-unit at blooming stage, and the data on
number of leaves plant−1, root surface area and root fresh weight
plant−1 (g) were recorded. Leaf area of the fully developed newly un-
folded leaves was measured at the end of the cycle using a bench top LI-
COR-3100 leaf area meter, and the values were expressed as square
centimeters (cm2). The newly emerged runners were cut from mother
plants. The plantlets with 2 to 3 unfolded leaves were cut and further
maintained on the growth media. The cumulative number of runners
was counted periodically every week through the entire course of in-
vestigation.
For total chlorophylls estimation, the leaf samples were stored in
refrigerator at sub-zero temperature to avoid the dehydration of the
pigments. 100 mg of chopped leaf samples were placed in vials con-
tained 7 ml of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). The extraction, estimation
and bioassay of total leaf chlorophylls (mg g−1 of fresh weight) in leaf
were done using Spectronic-20 at 645 and 663 nm wavelengths (Hiscox
and Israelstam, 1979). The optical density of the extract was recorded
against DMSO as blank. Total leaf chlorophylls were calculated as:
20.2A 645+ 8.02A 663
Total leaf chlorophylls = ×V
a×1000×W
where, V = volume of the extract made; a = length of the light path in
cell (usually 1 cm); W = weight of the sample; A645=absorbance at
645 nm; A663= absorbance at 663 nm. The results thus obtained were
expressed as mg of total chlorophyll per gram of fresh weight.
P. Kumar, et al.
2.10. Yield and yield efficiency
The fruit were handpicked twice a week with a total 8–10 times of
harvesting throughout the cropping period. The data were recorded on
total marketable berries, and expressed in g plant−1. The quantity of
fruit harvested was calculated for total yield (kg ha−1). The yield ef-
ficiency (YE) was calculated on leaf area basis as g cm-2 of leaf area.
2.11. Fruit analyses
The berries produced during the cropping cycle, the ripe berries
(fruits) were sampled, and then rapidly transferred to the laboratory for
physico-biochemical analyses using standard procedures (A.O.A.C.,
1980). Thirty fruit samples from each treatment (n = 90) were ran-
domly selected to determine fresh berry weight using electronic digital
balance ( ± 0.01 g accuracy) and the data were expressed in g fruit−1.
The berry dimension (length, breadth, thickness), and shape index were
also determined in the samples by digital vernier scale ( ± 0.05 mm
accuracy). Berry firmness was determined using Effegi Penetrometer
model FT (Effegi, Milan, Italy). Biochemical quality characteristics viz.,
juice pH, total soluble solids (TSS) with a hand refractometer (°Brix, °B),
sugars and ripening index were measured at 25 ± 2 °C at consumer
maturity stage. Titratable acidity (TA) was estimated by neutralization
in the diluted juice solution by titrating to pH 8.2 using 0.1 N NaOH,
TSS: TA ratio was also calculated. For the estimation of sucrose content,
5 g fruit sample homogenates were diluted to 50 ml with deionized
water, shaken at 200 rpm for 1 h, filtered through Whatsman filter
paper and decolored twice with poly vinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). One ml of
the colorless serum was taken and further diluted in deionized water
(1:2 v/v). Ascorbic acid concentration was determined by diluting fruit
homogenate (5 g) with 50 ml of deionized water. The solution was
shaken at 200 rpm for 10 min at RT, filtered with filter paper and de-
colorized twice with PVP (0.1 g-1 10 ml). The acid content was mea-
sured at 578 nm. Anthocyanin pigmentation was recorded using horti-
cultural color chart of Royal Horticultural Society, London, United
Kingdom.
2.12. Tissue sampling and chemical analyses
For plant analysis, macro- and micronutrient contents, recently
matured trifoliate leaves (petiole along with blade) samples were col-
lected. The represented sample size of leaflets from the randomly se-
lected within the tested PGPR probiotics applied. Leaves were rinsed
with 0.5% detergent solution, deionized water to minimize surface
contamination. The petioles were removed from the leaf blades, and the
tissues were oven-dried separately. Sampling and the preparation for
chemical analysis was carried out according to Chapman (1964). The
digestion of leaf sample (1 g) for the estimation of total N was carried
out in concentrated H2SO4, contained a digestion mixture of potassium
sulphate (400 parts), CuSO4 (20 parts) and selenium powder (1 part).
For the estimation of P, K and B the samples (0.5 g) were digested in
diacid mixture (HNO4:HClO4) in the ratio of 4:1 (Piper, 1966). Total
leaf blade N was determined using a nitrogen auto-analyzer, Kjeltech
Foss Tecator model 2300 (FOSS, Denmark), and P by the phosphova-
nadomolybdate method (Jackson, 1973). K concentration was de-
termined by Atomic Emission Spectroscopy, whereas, the quantification
of micronutrients was carried on atomic absorption spectroscopy
model-4141.
2.13. DOP indexing
The Deviation from optimum percentage (DOP) index is defining
the quantity and quality of each nutrient in plants. DOP nutrient index
and the respective blade nutrient concentration were calculated as
optimum (DOP = 0), deficiency (DOP < 0) or excess (DOP > 0) ac-
cording to Montañes et al. (1991). The absolute value of DOP index
4
Scientia Horticulturae 265 (2020) 109215
indicates the significance or severity of an anomalous nutritional status.
A large absolute value in a DOP indexing indicates a large deviation
from the optimum situation. For any given element, a negative DOP
index indicates a deficiency, whereas a positive DOP index indicates an
excess. The DOP index based on leaf analysis is calculated as, DOP=
{Cn/Co-1} x 100, where, Cn= foliar concentration of the tested nu-
trient, and Co= critical (reference) optimum nutrient concentration.
The C0 was taken from optimum values (Thomas et al., 2013). Besides,
it provides the general nutritional status of nutrients through the ΣDOP
index, and obtained by adding the values of DOP index irrespective of
sign. Larger the ΣDOP value, the greater is the intensity of imbalances
among nutrients and the lower the ΣDOP value, the greater is the in-
tensity of balance among nutrients.
2.14. Statistics and PCA
Statistical analyses of the data were carried out using general linear
model of the standard errors of the mean. Mean values for each of the
respective parameter were tested by ANOVA and the difference be-
tween the treatments was compared by least significant difference
(LSD) test at the 5% level of probability (confidence), wherever the
results were significant. Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was also
tested for multiple comparisons at p ≤ 0.05 using DSAASTAT version
1.101 (Onofri, 2007). Correlation analysis was worked out between all
possible combinations including, agro-morphometric characters, fruit
yield and quality traits according to the procedure suggested by Panse
and Sukhatme (1989). Data reduction using the principle component
analysis (PCA) of agro-morphometric traits, fruit yield and quality traits
were also worked out according to XLSTAT version 2014.6.02. Mean-
ingful loadings were also included in the interpretation of principal
components (PCs). The graphical interpretation is done by constructing
‘scree’ plot and PCA biplots, with the original variables drawn as vec-
tors that summarize the correlation between the variable and both il-
lustrated axes.
3. Results and discussion
3.1. Impact analysis of PGPR transplant amendments
Dual or triple inoculation of microbial transplant amedements used
as PGPR with fruit crops mainly belong to the genus Pseudomonas,
Bacillus, Azotobacter, and K-mobilizers and AM fungi have determined
the beneficial effects on strawberry production and fruit quality traits in
field conditions. The data extrapolated that PGPRs inoculation have a
great potential to improve phenological traits including growth mea-
surements, fruit yield, biochemical attributes and runner production.
Agro-morphometric, biochemical traits and generative potential sub-
jected to analysis of variance showed significant effect of applied PGPRs
probiotics.
3.1.1. Growth indexes and total leaf chlorophylls
The studies on the affects of PGPR application on vegetative growth
traits, runner formation, leaf area and total leaf chlorophyll were
evaluated on the newest unfolded leaves of each treatment in natural
and organic conditions. The data presented in Table 1 revealed that all
vegetative growth indexes were significantly increased by PGPR pro-
biotics application under organic (solarized) and natural (non-solar-
ized) grown strawberries. In organic conditions, the greatest root plant
height, number of leaves and leaf area, root surface area, root fresh
weight (RFW), number of crowns and runners in strawberry leaves were
obtained in T3 (PGPR consourtium) compared to uninoculated control.
PGPR probiotics inoculation also improved the growth parameters of
strawberry plants compared with the natural (non-solarized). These
findings on PGPR transplant amedements in strawberry were also ac-
cording to Seo et al. (2009); Pırlak and Köse (2009) and Perez et al.
(2009). Plant growth indexes like total biomass leaf area, chlorophyll
 Table 1
Growth indexes and total chlorophylls of strawberry ‘Chandler’ fruits affected by PGPRs amendments inoculation.

Treatment (T) Organic (Solarized) Natural (Non-solarized)

P. Kumar, et al.

Growth indexes Total Growth indexes Total

chlorophylls chlorophylls
Plant Number of LA (cm2) RSA RFW (g) Number of Number of (mg g−1) Plant Number of LA (cm2) RSA RFW (g) Number of Number of (mg g−1)
height leaves (cm2 plant−1) crowns runners height leaves (cm2 plant−1) crowns runners
(cm) plant−1 plant−1 (cm) plant−1 plant−1

T1 26.9 12.10 91.4 117.4 28.9 4.61 26.8 38.6 24.8 11.63 86.9 110.7 20.8 4.17 24.1 37.7
T2 23.4 11.08 88.4 110.9 24.3 4.32 25.2 37.9 22.5 10.61 83.9 98.9 21.4 3.65 21.2 36.9
T3 28.7 13.23 91.9 129.2 32.2 4.71 32.7 39.8 27.8 12.76 87.4 117.2 23.7 4.22 29.7 38.8
T4 25.3 10.39 88.1 111.8 25.4 4.39 26.1 35.9 24.4 9.92 83.6 99.8 21.6 3.92 22.9 34.9
T5 24.4 10.78 85.2 111.9 26.0 4.27 24.5 35.1 23.5 10.31 80.7 100.0 22.5 3.80 22.5 34.1
T6 25.7 11.19 89.1 112.0 27.1 4.44 26.6 38.3 24.5 10.72 84.6 105.4 19.5 3.94 23.6 37.3
T7 22.5 10.12 85.8 100.0 23.6 4.42 25.3 34.5 21.6 9.65 81.4 88.0 20.9 3.25 21.4 33.5
T8 18.9 7.10 82.0 88.1 19.1 3.49 19.7 28.2 16.8 6.63 77.3 76.1 18.6 3.02 18.4 27.2
LSD (p ≤ 0.05) 2.0 1.4 2.9 7.5 3.2 0.3 3.0 2.2 2.3 1.4 2.2 7.5 1.2 0.2 2.7 2.2

LA, leaf area (newly unfolded leaves); RSA, Root surface area; RFW, Root fresh weight.

5
Table 2
Soil microbial communities (cfu g−1 moist soil between 1–5% of the total microbial community that grown on artificial media) at sampling depth of 0–15 cm.

Treatment (T) Organic (Solarized) Natural (Non-solarized)

Bacteria (x106) Fungi (x105) Actinobacteria (x104) Bacteria (x106) Fungi (x 105) Actinobacteria (x104)

Rhizosphere Non-rhizosphere Rhizosphere Non-rhizosphere Rhizosphere Non-rhizosphere Rhizosphere Non-rhizosphere Rhizosphere Non-rhizosphere Rhizosphere Non-rhizosphere

T1 16.8 8.4 15.4 8.4 17.4 9.2 13.1 7.3 11.6 6.9 10.9 5.8
T2 16.4 7.2 14.5 7.6 16.3 8.8 10.7 5.9 11 6.3 9.6 4.6
T3 17.0 8.7 15.8 8.5 18.9 9.7 15 8.2 13.7 7.0 13.0 6.0
T4 15.5 7.2 14.6 7.5 17.1 9.2 10.9 6.4 10.9 6.2 9.5 4.9
T5 15.5 8.1 15.1 8.1 17.0 9 10.7 5.9 10.4 6.2 10.3 5.7
T6 16.6 8.3 15.5 8.2 17.2 9.4 11.6 6.8 11.3 6.6 10.6 5.7
T7 14.2 7.9 13.8 8.5 16.9 9.1 10.9 6.1 11 6.8 10.2 5.5
T8 12.9 7.7 12.3 7.9 13.4 8.6 10.3 6.5 9.8 6.1 8.3 4.8
LSD (p ≤ 0.05) 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.7 0.3

Values represent mean values of three replicates from soil samples obtained during two cropping cycles (2015–2016).
Scientia Horticulturae 265 (2020) 109215
 P. Kumar, et al.

Table 3
Beneficial microbial communities (cfu g−1 moiist soil) affected by PGPRs amendments inoculation at rhizosphere sampling depth of 0–15 cm.

Treatment (T) Organic (Solarized)

AM fungi (50 g−1 soil) A. chroococcum (x106) Pseudomonas spp. (x 105) K-mobilizer
(x104)

Rhizosphere Non-rhizosphere Rhizosphere Non-rhizosphere Rhizosphere Non-rhizosphere Rhizosphere

T1 299.6 219.8 27.7 12.8 19.9 11.9 14.7

T2 202.8 151 26.9 12.0 18.4 11.4 16.8
T3 230.5 174.7 29.5 12.6 28.7 17.7 15.3
T4 222.1 166.3 26.9 12.6 20.3 12.3 21.9
T5 237.9 182.1 27.2 12.3 22.4 14.4 19.3
T6 186.8 141 27.0 12.1 14.3 9.8 18.6
T7 169.8 131 26.8 11.9 14.2 8.2 12.6
T8 98.1 78.3 12.7 7.8 9.3 6.9 7.4
LSD 30.2 22.5 4.2 1.2 4.1 2.3 3.0
(p ≤ 0.05)

6
Treatment (T) Organic Natural (Non-solarized)
(Solarized)

K-mobilizer AM fungi (50 g−1 soil) A. chroococcum (x106) Pseudomonas spp. (x 105) K-mobilizer (x104)
(x104)

Non-rhizosphere Rhizosphere Non-rhizosphere Rhizosphere Non-rhizosphere Rhizosphere Non-rhizosphere Rhizosphere Non-

rhizosphere

T1 11.0 187.6 130.6 11.3 6.5 14.9 9.7 9.2 5.2

T2 13.1 149.7 109.7 10.4 5.6 13.0 8.6 9.9 6.3
T3 10.6 157.4 117.4 11.6 6.7 20.3 12.5 8.8 5.8
T4 18.2 158.3 111.3 10.4 5.7 14.9 10.1 14.4 10.1
T5 15.6 178.6 104.8 11.2 6.8 17.1 12.2 11.8 8.3
T6 14.9 147.8 128.6 10.6 6.4 11.9 7.1 11.1 8.0
T7 9.2 145.4 105.4 11.0 7.2 9.8 6.2 5.5 3.9
T8 5.7 88.6 67.6 8.6 4.8 6.4 4.7 4.9 3.6
LSD 2.7 19.8 14.2 0.8 0.8 2.8 0.8 1.9 1.5
(p ≤ 0.05)

Values represent mean values of three replicates from soil samples obtained during two cropping cycles (2015–2016).
Scientia Horticulturae 265 (2020) 109215
P. Kumar, et al. Scientia Horticulturae 265 (2020) 109215

content etc. were significantly improved with PGPR probiotics due to

K-mobilizer
HCO3− ascribed to greater nutrient uptake and leaf chlorophyll through
lowered root enzymatic activity of Fe reductase and alkaline phos-

1.77
1.57
1.52
1.43
1.42
1.39
1.41
1.36
0.6
phorous (Cartmill, 2004). These probiotics have the ability to produce
the plant growth regulators like indole-acetic acid, gibberellins and
Pseudomonas sp.

cytokinins which might have played the significant role in plant growth
promotion (Bent et al., 2001; Khalid et al., 2004). Our results were also
in accordance with those of Bhattacharyya and Jha (2012) who docu-
mented that PGPR interaction depended upon the type of microbial
1.54
1.51
1.62
1.48
1.39
1.68
1.63
1.36
0.1
consortium, plant species and their combinations used. It is well es-
tablished that microbial consortium especially B. subtilis has been re-
A. chroococcum

ported to secrete gibberellins in rhizosphere (Gutierrez-Manero et al.,

2001) beside insoluble phosphates into soluble form through the pro-
cess of acidification, chelatiation and exchange reactions (Banik and
1.74
1.86
1.73
1.82
1.66
1.65
1.53
1.79
0.1

Dey, 1981; Bhattacharya et al., 1986), nitrogen fixation and pathogen

defense. It has been reported that production of organic acids by PGPR
AM fungi

contributes the conversion of insoluble form of P to soluble (H2PO-4,

HPO2-4) forms (Richardson et al., 2009) which in turn improved various
1.44
1.36
1.34
1.42
1.41
1.39
1.38
1.35
0.03

vegetative growth indexes. This increase is also be explained by the

production of organic acids by plants and PGPR in the rhizosphere,
Actinobacteria

which in turn stimulated the availability of P, Fe and Zn (Esitken et al.,

2010). The results are in agreement with the previous reports which
emphasized to the increased leaf area and plant growth characters as-
1.88
2.09
2.17
1.94
1.81
1.86
1.85
1.73
0.1

cribed to increased mineral nutrition and the possibility of PGPR con-

Natural (Non-solarized)

sortium which produced growth hormones in rhizosphere zone and the

Fungi

release of metabolites that directly stimulate growth (Pırlak and Köse,

1.68
1.75
1.96
1.76
1.68
1.71
1.62
1.61
0.09

2009), thereby increased photosynthesis, enhanced carbohydrates ac-

cumulation, and efficient partitioning of photosynthates towards the
Bacteria

sink stimulated by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (Kumari et al.,

1.79
1.81
1.83
1.70
1.81
1.71
1.79
1.58
0.06

2018), better root development, better translocation of water and nu-

trients, uptake and efficient utilization of nutrients (Pırlak and Köse,
K-mobilizer

2009; Singh et al., 2017, 2017). The berries have sympodial type of
growth habit which resulted in its propagation through vegetative
1.34
1.28
1.44
1.20
1.24
1.25
1.37
1.30
0.07

means from cyme inflorescence emerges from the axils of the older
inflorescence followed by secondary flowers repeated several times
(Kurokura et al., 2017) which revealed the incremental runners’ pro-
Pseudomonas sp.

duction through the PGPR transplant amedements (Erturk et al., 2012;

Lowe et al., 2012). The studies also depicted that no serious symptoms
of any pest and/ or pathogen attack were recorded during the course of
1.67
1.61
1.62
1.65
1.56
1.46
1.73
1.35
0.09

entire investigation either with or without PGPR probiotics used. These

Root: Soil (R/S) ratio affected by PGPRs amendments at sampling depth of 0–15 cm.

observations indicated the improvement of defense mechanism against

A. chroococcum

pathogens due to PGPR amedements like P. florescence, B. subtilis, A.

chroococcum and the consortium of AM fungal species used (Silva et al.,
2004; Tahmatsidou et al., 2006). Moreover, the growth promotion ef-
2.16
2.24
2.34
2.24
2.23
2.21
2.25
2.10
0.07

fect ascribed to the variation in the intensity of colonization of AM

fungi was more effective due to capacity by forming extensive and ef-
fective network of external hyphae around the root zone for nutrient
AM fungi

acquisition (Kumar et al., 2006; Kumar and Sharma, 2009; Sharma

1.36
1.34
1.32
1.34
1.32
1.31
1.30
1.24
0.01

et al., 2011a, b; Singh et al., 2012). Besides, the production of plant

growth regulating substances like auxin, cytokinins and gibberellins by
Actinobacteria

PGPR probiotics interfere on resident soil microbial communities

especially AM fungi by colonizing the roots causes increased root
growth and exudation rate (Bashan et al., 2004), and exerted both di-
1.89
1.85
1.95
1.86
1.83
1.89
1.86
1.56
0.09

rect and indirect effects on plant growth characteristics such as the

modulation of plant immunity (Lugtenberg and Kamilova, 2009;
Organic (Solarized)

Vander Ent et al., 2009; Sugiyama et al., 2014). Moreover, improved

Fungi

1.83
1.91
1.86
1.95
1.89
1.86
1.62
1.56
0.08

total leaf chlorophylls content could be due to the increased leaf area
was by the application of PGPR probiotics in this study, but not due
Bacteria

photosynthetic ability of the plantlets, as it was reflected (Kurokura

2.01
2.28
1.95
2.15
2.03
1.91
1.80
1.68

et al., 2017).
0.1

3.1.2. Rhizosphere stochiometry

LSD (p ≤ 0.05)
Treatment (T)

3.1.2.1. Soil temperature, microbial population and root soil

interaction. Organic (solarization) soil temperature mainly depends on
Table 4

the increase in average of maximum soil temperatures during the

T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
T6
T7
T8

period of solarization. Soil solarization resulted in increase in average

7
 Table 5
Microbial biomass and different enzyme activities exposed subsoil in the 0–15 cm soil profile.a.

Treatment (T) Organic (Solarized)

P. Kumar, et al.

MBC (mg kg−1) MBN (mg kg−1) MBC: MBN Acid phosphatase Alkaline DHA
(μg PNP g−1 h−1) phosphatase (μg TPF g−1 h−1)
(μg PNP g−1 h−1)

T1 380.6 28.8 13.2 147.3 97.7 7.8

T2 382.9 29.4 13.0 137.3 98.8 7.2
T3 429.7 29.7 14.5 161.2 102.6 8.7
T4 365.3 26.5 13.8 136.5 90.4 6.8
T5 360.5 26.0 13.9 128.6 93.0 6.5
T6 377.8 27.9 13.5 126.8 95.8 5.8
T7 379.1 27.4 13.8 112.8 76.9 4.7
T8 330.9 26.2 12.6 103.9 72.0 4.0
LSD (p ≤ 0.05) 24.6 1.1 0.6 8.8 6.1 0.6

Treatment (T) Natural (Non-solarized)

MBC (mg kg−1) MBN (mg kg−1) MBC: MBN Acid phosphatase Alkaline DHA
(μg PNP g−1 h−1) phosphatase(μg (μg TPF g−1 h−1)
PNP g−1 h−1)

T1 365.2 25.9 14.1 132.3 75.5 6.2

T2 370.9 26.5 14.0 126.3 74.7 5.6
T3 404.3 26.8 15.1 137.2 81.2 7.1
T4 342.9 23.6 14.5 120.5 69.2 5.2

8
T5 361.5 25.0 14.5 114.6 71.2 4.9
T6 352.4 25.0 14.1 110.8 71.8 4.2
T7 353.7 26.2 13.5 99.8 53.9 3.1
T8 298.5 23.3 12.8 90.9 46.2 2.4
LSD (p ≤ 0.05) 32.1 1.7 0.7 5.8 6.3 0.6

a
Treatment-wise composite sampling each from solarized and natural plots; MBC, microbial biomass carbon; MBN, microbial biomass nitrogen DHA, dehydrogenase.
Scientia Horticulturae 265 (2020) 109215
P. Kumar, et al. Scientia Horticulturae 265 (2020) 109215

Table 6
Post-harvest chemical indicator of exposed subsoil of organic plots in the 0–15 cm soil profile.a.

Treatment (T) pH EC (d Sm−1) OC (g kg−1) Available macronutrient (mg kg−1) Exchangeable cations (mg kg−1) DTPA micronutrient cations (mg kg−1)

N P K Ca Mg Fe Cu Zn Mn

T1 7.03 0.143 6.86 159.7 13.7 134.9 29.0 27.7 79.2 2.53 1.94 66.7
T2 6.94 0.144 6.88 158.6 13.6 134.7 27.3 27.5 75.2 2.49 1.91 62.1
T3 7.04 0.134 6.98 164.4 13.8 139.3 29.9 28.0 80.4 2.62 1.99 69.6
T4 6.94 0.155 6.84 158.3 12.5 132.2 28.9 25.3 74.6 2.36 1.82 59.3
T5 6.93 0.144 6.83 155.4 13.6 128.7 27.8 24.5 70.1 2.27 1.88 52.8
T6 7.02 0.143 6.68 147.3 13.2 121.8 22.3 25.6 65.8 2.28 1.78 47.0
T7 7.09 0.142 6.70 143.1 12.4 125.2 22.6 25.5 68.1 2.14 1.72 46.9
T8 6.20 0.148 6.68 133.2 10.2 116.1 20.0 19.8 59.2 1.72 1.34 39.4
LSD (p ≤ 0.05) 0.05 0.005 0.1 4.5 0.8 3.9 2.1 2.7 3.9 0.2 0.1 5.6

a
Treatment-wise composite sampling; EC, electrical conductivity; OC, organic carbon.

Table 7
Yield related traits of cultivar Chandler obtained in organic and natural at PGPRs amendments inoculation.

Treatment (T) Organic (Solarized) Natural (Non-solarized)

Cumulative fruit Cumulative yield Yield YE Cumulative fruit Cumulative yield Yield YE
number (g plant−1) (q ha−1) (g cm−2 LA) number (g plant−1) (q ha−1) (g cm−2 LA)

T1 61.3 575.4 287.7 6.30 29.4 484.6 242.3 5.58

T2 64.5 611.2 305.6 6.91 27.6 490.7 245.3 5.85
T3 68.1 648.5 324.2 7.06 29.0 500.8 250.4 5.73
T4 60.5 551.4 275.7 6.26 26.4 460.5 230.2 5.51
T5 62.7 536.9 268.4 6.30 25.8 445.4 222.7 5.52
T6 60.3 566.4 283.2 6.36 27.2 455.7 227.8 5.39
T7 58.6 459.8 229.9 5.36 26.2 429.4 214.7 5.28
T8 49.8 437.8 218.9 5.34 23.9 398.6 199.3 5.16
LSD (p ≤ 0.05) 3.3 41.6 20.8 0.4 0.9 16.0 8.0 0.1

YE, yield efficiency; LA, leaf area.

maximum soil temperature the period of solarization (data not shown).
The maximum soil temperature average was 28.4 °C in the solarized
plot. Maximum soil temperature was 26.7 °C in the natural
(conventional) soil plots. Similarly, solarization also increased the
maximum daily temperature to 35.3 °C and the average minimum
daily soil temperature to 22.7 °C compared to natural soil plots. It is also
concluded that temperatures recorded from solarized soils were higher
compared to natural soil plots. The temperature fluctuation amplitude,
calculated as the difference between means of maximum and minimum
temperatures of soil, was relatively high at the top layer of organic
solarized soil compared to natural soils.
The number of total resident soil microbial population in the sample
increased from the dual inoculation to triple inoculation of the PGPR
probiotics compared to control irrespective of the organic and natural
plots studied. The effect of PGPR probiotics on the total cultural mi-
crobial population had significant effect on the microbial count of the
rhizosphere soil in organic (solarized) plots compared to natural (con-
ventional) soil plots. In general, the quantity of total culturable mi-
croorganisms analyzed in terms of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes
were higher in rhizosphere soil than in non-rhizosphere soils irrespec-
tive both of organic than natural plots (p < 0.05). The total resident
microbial population in organic and natural plots varied among the
different PGPR probiotics as shown in (Table 2). The plate counts es-
timated less than 5% of the total propagule density of soil culturable
total bacterial population, soil fungi and actinobacteria was sig-
nificantly improved in rhizosphere, which reflected a stimulation of the
resident microflora in response to PGPR probiotics. In organic plots, the
plate count of Pseudomonas spp., A. chroococcum and K-mobilizers
varied with respective values of 14.2 × 105-28.7 × 105 cfu g−1 soil,
12.7 × 106-29.5 × 106 cfu g−1 soil and 7.4 × 104-21.9 × 104 cfu g−1
soil in the under different PGPR transplant amedements applied. Si-
milarly, AM fungal spore population ranged between 98.1 and 299.6
per 50 g soil (Table 3). Under favourable climatic conditions and proper
use, solarization can provide excellent control of soil-borne pathogens
in the field, greenhouse, nursery, and home garden (Stapleton, 2000).
In natural plots (at zero time), total microbial population of bacteria,
fungi and actinobacteria under solarized and natural soils at 0–15 cm
depths, indicating variability in the population of native soil microbial
community present in the tested field. The quantitative estimation of
resident soil microflora from the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil
obtained in the present study is in conformation with the respective
microbial populations generally reported in literature. The plate count
studies have revealed a pronounced rhizosphere effect for substantial
soil microbial community in the rhizosphere of both organic and nat-
ural plots.
3.1.2.2. Root soil (R/S) ratio. The R/S ratio, in general, was the highest
in organic plots than natural plots. The higher population count and
root soil (R/S) ratio for organic and natural plots were expected.
Highest and lowest R/S ratio of the resident microflora like total
bacterial count, soil fungi, actinobacteria, P. florescence, B. subtilis, A.
chroococcum, K-mobilizers, and AMF was based respective PGPR
probiotic combination and soil plot (Table 4). In the present study,
the resident microflora was significantly benefited by their proximity to
roots, and the R/S ratio exceeded 1.50. Irrespective of the organic and
natural plots, compared to the rhizosphere soil, the microbial
population enumerated in the control soil in this study was relatively
small. However, the total microbial count obtained for bacteria,
actinobacteria and fungi could be considered as a sufficiently
moderate value by soil-dilution plate-count method, besides, low pH,

9
P. Kumar, et al. Scientia Horticulturae 265 (2020) 109215

Table 8
PGPRs amendments inoculation affects berry traits and shape index of strawberry cv. Chandler.

Treatment (T) Organic (Solarized) Natural (Non-solarized)

Berry dimension (mm) Berry weight Berry firmness Shape Berry dimension (mm) Berry weight Berry firmness Shape
(g) (kg cm−2) index (g) (kg cm−2) index
Length Width Thickness Length Width Thickness

T1 25.6 29.0 26.2 12.2 0.81 0.88 22.9 27.9 25.9 9.39 0.80 0.82
T2 25.9 25.6 25.2 12.4 0.83 1.01 23.2 24.5 24.6 9.48 0.81 0.92
T3 30.1 30.9 31.3 13.5 0.87 0.97 27.4 29.8 29.5 9.53 0.84 0.95
T4 24.5 27.6 28.8 11.9 0.79 0.89 21.8 26.5 28.2 9.11 0.74 0.82
T5 25.2 29.7 25.2 11.4 0.80 0.85 22.5 28.6 24.6 8.56 0.77 0.79
T6 23.3 25.3 27.4 12.2 0.83 0.92 20.6 24.2 26.8 9.40 0.79 0.85
T7 22.4 22.6 28.1 12.0 0.84 0.99 19.7 21.5 28.5 9.23 0.79 0.92
T8 20.8 20.5 22.2 10.3 0.76 1.01 18.1 19.4 21.6 7.47 0.71 0.74
LSD (p ≤ 0.05) 1.9 2.0 2.5 0.6 0.03 0.04 1.9 1.9 2.5 0.5 0.03 0.05

and organic content of the soil. Generally the plate counts estimated up
to 200 million resident microbial populations per gram of dry soil
dependent upon the abundance being a reflection of several
environmental factors. Although, in organic plots used in the present
study, the bacterial, actinobacterial and fungal populations were less
than those of natural plots which might be due to the soil samples
collection from the solarized and natural cultivated conditions that
accounted for the variations and differential stimulation on the
rhizosphere microflora by the roots of the plantlets.
3.1.2.3. Soil microbial biomass and enzymatic activity. The data depicted
in Table 5 revealed that MBC and MBN were significantly influenced
under different PGPR probiotic combinations. Microbial Biomass-C
(MBC) was significantly higher in organic plots than natural plots by
6.28%, 3.23%, and 4.22%, respectively. Microbial Biomass-N (MBN)
was also significantly higher in T3, T2 and T1 by 10.8, 10.7, and 11.1
fold, respectively (p < 0.05). Mean MBC and MBN contents were both
the highest in organic plots at 375.9, 27.7 mg kg−1, and in natural plots
at 356.2, 25.3 mg kg−1, respectively. MBC: MBN ranged for the various
components of the microbial biomass were as follows: 13.0–14.5 for
organic plots and 13.5–15.1 for natural plots studied. MBC and MBN are
the main driving force involved in decomposition of soil organic
material due to changes in the physico-chemical and biological
properties of rhizosphere soils (Sharma et al., 2015). In organic plots,
MBC content was mostly higher under T3 compared to other probiotic
combinations which is ascribed due to more microbial biomass coupled
with more microbial incorporation and/or decomposition (Sharma
et al., 2017), which reflected the magnitude of increased MBC and
MBN in the rhizosphere area (Akmal et al., 2012). The differences
recorded in MBC and MBN contents were emphasized that microbial
turnover is considerably more rapid (Kaschuk et al., 2010; Sharma
et al., 2015, 2017). MBC and MBN are sensitive indicators of the effects
of soil and crop management regimens in the cropping system utilized.
The relative activities of the soil enzymes (i.e. acid phosphatase,
alkaline phosphatase and dehydrogenases) are shown in Table 5. The
data showed that acid- and alkaline phosphatase and dehydrogenases
(DHA) activity was again higher in the rhizosphere soils of solarized
plots compared to bulk soil and or natural soil lots. Acid phosphatase
and alkaline phosphatase activities were significantly higher in organic
plots (T3) than natural plots (p < 0.05). The activities of acid-, alkaline
phosphatase and dehydrogenases were 17.4%, 26.4% and 22.5%,
higher than natural plots, respectively. The increase of acid- and
alkaline phosphatases and DHA enzyme activity might be due to
intense activity of the soil microorganisms especially PGPR probiotics
in the rhizosphere soils which intern degraded easily metabolizable
compounds.
3.1.3. Post-harvest soil chemical indicators
Mean values of soil chemical indicators were recorded the highest in
250 g PGPR consourtium (T3) which further reduced through 250 g
AMF+125g A. chroococcum (T1) and 150 g A. chroococcum+150 g K-
mobilizers (T2), while, the T8 (Uninoculated control) has the least
(Table 6). There was a significant effect of microbial probiotics on soil
pH and EC (P < 0.05), but differences in pH were very small. Different
microbial probiotics (dual or triple inoculation) changed pH of the soil
towards neutral. The treatment T3 had a pH of 7.04, which was towards
neutrality in compared to T8 with pH of 6.20. All the PGPR treatments
were also effective in decreasing soil EC level. The data presented on
soil OC content indicated a significant increase due varied dual or triple
inoculation of microbial probiotics tested. Maximum soil OC build up
was observed with T3 treatment. In general, the extent of soil OC was
higher when the consortium of PGPR was inoculated with the test crop.
Maximum soil OC increased by 55.1% T3 over initial (4.5 g kg−1). The
extent of increase of soil OC content over initial was 52.9, 52.4 and 52%
in T2, T1, T4, respectively. Among the tested PGPR probiotics, T3
showed maximum available macro-(N, P, K), meso-(exchangeable Ca,
Mg) and DTPA-extractable micronutrient cations (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn) fol-
lowed by T2, T1, T4 compared to T8 which recorded the least (Table 6).
Soil available N significantly increased under different probiotics in-
oculations being the highest in T3 (9.38%) followed by T1 (6.25%), T2
(5.52%) over initial (150.3 mg kg−1). The comparison of available P
and available K under different microbial treatments showed that T3
exhibited maximum values for these chemical indicators. The result
also showed that in T3 treatment exchangeable Ca and Mg content in-
creased with corresponding values of 49.5%, 41.4% over uninoculated
control. Concerning to the availability of DTPA extracted Fe, Cu, Zn,
Mn, the dual or triple inoculation of PGPR amedements T3 increased
35.8%, 52.3%, 48.5%, 76.6%, respectively, over uninoculated control.
PGPR secrete carboxylic acid, thus lowered the pH in the rhizosphere
and consequently release the bound forms of phosphate like Ca3 (PO4)2
in the calcareous soils. Soil P easily forms insoluble complexes with
cations, and/or incorporated into organic matter by microbial popula-
tion (Tran et al., 2010). Moreover, the PGPR probiotics could increase
the availability of accumulated phosphates by solubilization, increase
the efficiency of biological nitrogen fixation and render availability of
Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn through production of plant growth promoting
substances. Increased availability of mineral contents in soils during the
cultivation and bacterial inoculation in the soil ascribed to increased
mineralization of the organic complex and organic acid production by
plants and bacteria in the rhizosphere zone (Sundra et al., 2002; Shen
et al., 2004; Esitken et al., 2010).
3.1.4. Number of fruits, yield and yield efficiency
Total fruit yield and number of fruits per plant of the first fruit truss
to final harvest (cumulative) was higher in the PGPR probiotic treated

10
 Table 9
Biochemical quality attributes at PGPRs amendments inoculation in ‘Chandler’ strawberry.

Treatment (T) Organic (Solarized)

P. Kumar, et al.

Juice pH TSS (0Brix) Acidity (%) TSS: acidity RS (%) NRS (%) TS (%) Sucrose (%) Ripening Ascorbic acid Anthocyanin
Index (mg/100 g pigmentation
fruit)

T1 3.89 8.46 0.69 12.3 4.75 3.49 8.24 3.32 12.9 39.7 RG 45
T2 3.56 9.18 0.76 12.1 4.59 3.69 8.30 3.51 12.6 36.5 RG 42A
T3 4.23 9.65 0.69 14.0 4.88 3.88 8.57 3.66 13.4 45.9 RG 46
T4 3.85 8.92 0.85 10.5 4.45 3.85 7.95 3.19 10.5 40.3 RG 44A
T5 3.29 8.33 0.74 11.3 4.42 3.84 8.26 3.65 11.3 35.4 RG 43
T6 4.04 8.54 0.66 12.9 4.47 3.76 8.23 3.57 11.8 34.6 RG 42A
T7 3.39 8.68 0.77 11.3 4.54 3.36 8.42 3.69 11.3 32.9 RG 44A
T8 2.89 6.18 0.89 12.3 3.41 2.69 6.10 2.56 6.9 28.4 RG 42A
LSD 0.3 0.7 0.01 1.2 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.3 1.7 3.4
(p ≤ 0.05)

Treatment (T) Natural (Non-solarized)

Juice pH TSS (0Brix) Acidity (%) TSS: acidity RS (%) NRS (%) TS (%) Sucrose (%) Ripening Ascorbic acid Anthocyanin
Index (mg/100 g fruit) pigmentation

T1 4.59 8.37 0.98 8.5 4.30 3.15 8.35 3.60 11.5 33.6 RG 45
T2 4.46 9.09 0.97 9.4 4.14 3.35 8.16 3.46 11.2 31.9 RG 42A
T3 4.79 9.02 0.88 10.3 4.43 3.54 8.50 3.61 12.0 35.6 RG 46
T4 4.55 8.83 0.99 8.9 4.09 3.50 8.23 3.27 9.1 30.2 RG 44A

11
T5 4.39 8.24 0.92 9.0 3.97 3.42 8.19 3.14 10.2 28.8 RG 43
T6 4.04 8.45 0.99 8.5 4.02 3.02 8.35 3.52 10.4 29.9 RG 42A
T7 4.44 8.59 0.92 9.3 4.00 3.54 7.88 3.64 9.7 32.6 RG 44A
T8 3.99 6.09 1.04 5.9 2.96 2.35 6.03 2.51 5.5 24.3 RG 42A
LSD 0.2 0.8 0.05 0.9 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.3 1.7 2.7
(p ≤ 0.05)

TSS, Total soluble solids; RS, Reducing sugars; NRS, Non-reducing sugars; TS, Total sugars.
Scientia Horticulturae 265 (2020) 109215
P. Kumar, et al. Scientia Horticulturae 265 (2020) 109215

Table 10
The DOP index and ΣDOP determined from strawberry leaf nutrients at various PGPR probiotics inoculation.

Treatment (T) N P K Ca Mg Fe Cu Zn Mn ΣDOP

Organic (Solarized)
T1 +23 +70 +63.3 −20 +12 +2.5 −2 +19.6 +14 226.4f
T2 +22.5 +30 +106.6 −15 +32 −9.3 +10.5 +1.3 +6.5 233.7e
T3 +24.5 +100 +106.6 −13.5 +28 +6.3 +27 +22 +46.5 374.4a
T4 +21 +50 +116.6 −26 +20 −4 +22.5 +5 +17.5 282.6c
T5 +21.5 +60 +131.6 −24 +24 −2.1 +18.5 +12.6 +23.5 317.8b
T6 +11 +60 +113.3 −16 +12 −14.1 −7 −28.6 −1.5 263.5d
T7 +13 +40 +105 −23 +20 −18.8 −0.5 −4.6 +4.5 229.4f
T8 +11 +50 +103.3 −16 +8 −17 −16 −18 −17 256.3e
Mean +18.4 +57.5 +105.8 −19.2 +19.5 −7.1 +6.6 +1.2 +11.8

Natural (Non-solarized)
T1 +16 +70 +111.6 −21.5 +4 −6.5 −6.5 0.6 −2 238.7d
T2 +18.5 +30 +103.3 −21.5 +16 −11.1 +8.5 −15 +8.5 232.4e
T3 +19.5 +90 +123.3 −18.5 +20 +2.1 +24 +12.6 +26 336a
T4 +16.5 +50 +115 −23.5 +8 −13 +2 +5.3 +14 247.3c
T5 +15.5 +50 +100 −20 +4 −14 −2 −4.3 −1 210.8f
T6 +13.5 +80 +130 −15.5 +32 −6.8 1.5 +1 +10.5 290.8c
T7 +12.5 +60 +113.3 −16 +12 −14.1 −7 −28.6 −1.5 264.5d
T8 −8 −20 +68.3 −28.5 −8 −29.8 −30.5 −29.6 −34.5 257.2b
Mean +13.0 +51.3 +108.1 −20.6 +11.0 −11.7 −1.3 −7.3 _2.5

Leaf standards for strawberry based on whole leaf along with petioles sampled; sign (−) indicates deficiency level, sign (+) indicates excessive (Thomas et al., 2013);
mean followed by same small and capital letters within columns indicate significant differences among ΣDOP indexes within each PGPR probiotic treatment are not
significant according to DMRT (p ≤ 0.05).

verified in the organic and in the natural field cultivation is presented in
Table 7. In relation to cumulative yield and number of fruits per plant,
the effects of dual or triple inoculation of microbial probiotic were
significant in any of the environments. The average cumulative number
of fruits in organic plots was 125.5% higher than natural plots. A
significant yield increase was obtained with T3 (648.5 g plant−1), T1
(611.2 g plant−1) and T2 (575.4 g plant−1) treatments as compared
with the control (437.8 g plant−1). During the two cropping years of
strawberry in organic plots, an increase in fruit-yield was observed at
dual or triple PGPR inoculation. The average cumulative fruit yield
value obtained in organic plots was 19.7% higher than natural plots.
3.1.5. Fruit analyses
Morphometric traits of fruits is also subjected to analysis of variance
showed significant effects of microbial probiotics both in organic and
natural plots on berry dimension (length, width and thickness), berry
weight, berry firmness and shape index (Table 8). It was found that all
the parameters were significantly increased in organically treated plots
as compared to natural plots irrespective of the PGPR probiotic treat-
ment applied. In organic plots, maximum berry length (30.1 mm), berry
width (30.9 mm), berry thickness (31.3 cm), berry weight (13.5 g),
berry firmness (0.87 kg cm−2) were recorded with dual inoculation of
PGPR probiotics in T3 treatment. Increase of these physical traits of
fruits ascribed to balanced macro- and micronutrients and the pro-
duction of growth promoting hormones especially IAA, gibberellins and
cytokinins by PGPR combinations (Lingua et al., 2013; Kudoyarova
et al., 2014; Kurokura et al., 2017). Moreover, better fruits might be
due to more balanced nutrients uptake that have led to improved me-
tabolism resulted in high protein and carbohydrate synthesis. The ca-
pacity of microbial inoculants to secretes phytohormones especially
gibberellins increased the fruit size. Also the efficient partitioning of
photosynthesis towards the sink by Azotobacterization and AM fungal
inoculation increased the fruit size and weight. The vigorous growth
traits of strawberry plantlets were also associated with higher sink ca-
pacity resulted in better root proliferation, increased uptake of nutrients
and water due to higher photosynthesis with an increased assimilation
rates (Rana and Chandel 2003). The data on biochemical traits of fruit
were significantly influenced by the PGPR transplant amedements
(Table 9). In organic plots, maximum juice pH (4.23), total soluble
solids (9.65°Brix), reducing sugars (4.88%), non-reducing sugars
(3.88%), total sugars (8.57%) and TSS: acidity (14) were recorded with
T3 treatment with lowest acidity (0.69%),and while the minimum were
observed in uninoculated control. The data also revealed a positive
relation between fruit dimension and fruit juice pH due to balanced
nutrient acquisition to the plant and secretion of phytohormones by the
applied PGPR probiotic. Endogenous factors like carbohydrates during
ripening of fruits as reserves of the roots and stem are drawn upon
heavily by fruits which might have resulted into higher TSS and sugar
contents in fruits. Maximum TSS: acidity ratio recorded in treatment T3
due to corresponding increase in total soluble solids and acidity. Lingua
et al. (2013) recorded anthocyanin pigmentation altered by the PGPR
which employed naked eyes, thus there is a possibility that enhance-
ment in pigmentation process in PGPR resulted in the earlier picking
even though no statistical difference was observed in the time between
anthesis to harvest. Yadav et al. (2016) recorded an improved antho-
cyanin pigmentation attributed to the significant uptake of N within the
plant system when 50% N through organic fertilizers along with Azo-
tobacter inoculation, at establishment of plant and before flowering
stage, performed better to enhance productivity and all quality attri-
butes, which in turn attributed to increased number of flowers and
berries, extended duration of harvesting, higher production of berries
through sustained nutrient availability in soil profile under optimum
physico-chemical environment.
3.1.6. DOP index
In the present investigations, DOP indexing were in close agreement
to diagnose N, P, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn excesses, whereas, it was in
deficiencies for leaf Ca, and DOP reference values (Montañes et al.,
1991). The DOPN, P, K, Mg, Zn, Mn was positive and DOPCa was negative in
organic plots regardless of PGPR transplant amendments applied. The
results are in close conformity with those of Thomas et al. (2013) who
reported the leaf N, P, Mg, Zn and Mn concentrations in strawberries.
For DOPN, P, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn level, the plants fertilized with T3 tend to
have a positive DOP value except DOPK irrespective of PGPR probiotics
applied. Status that leaf N, P, K, Mg is in excessive range, when leaf Ca
was in deficiency has been previously reported, probably a consequence
of lower K competition, which was universally trait of leaf Mg
(Table 10). Furthermore, the negative DOPCa attributed to low mobility

12
 P. Kumar, et al.

Table 11
Correlation matrixes (Pearson, n) of agro-morphometric and fruit quality traits at PGPRs amendments inoculation in ‘Chandler’ strawberry.

Variables Plant Number of LA RFW Number of Number of CY CFN BL BW BT BWt SI FF Juice pH TSS Acidity RI RS NRS TS Sucrose
height leaves crowns runners

Plant height 1
Number of leaves 0.94 1
LA 0.78 0.84 1
RFW 0.81 0.83 0.69 1
Number of Crowns 0.94 0.81 0.75 0.81 1
Number of runners 0.92 0.87 0.72 0.82 0.82 1
CY 0.81 0.83 0.93 0.86 0.86 0.76 1
CFN 0.54 0.51 0.58 0.77 0.66 0.57 0.82 1
BL 0.81 0.82 0.82 0.89 0.79 0.88 0.90 0.77 1
BW 0.87 0.79 0.63 0.88 0.91 0.81 0.79 0.69 0.86 1

13
BT 0.78 0.81 0.60 0.46 0.55 0.77 0.44 −0.01 0.52 0.46 1
BWt 0.75 0.81 0.89 0.57 0.69 0.62 0.74 0.21 0.62 0.53 0.76 1
SI −0.39 −0.21 0.10 −0.25 −0.50 −0.15 −0.06 −0.08 −0.03 −0.53 −0.08 −0.05 1
FF 0.60 0.71 0.74 0.63 0.47 0.69 0.63 0.21 0.67 0.42 0.74 0.81 0.29 1
Juice pH 0.91 0.85 0.83 0.68 0.88 0.84 0.81 0.46 0.70 0.67 0.76 0.83 −0.20 0.68 1
TSS 0.79 0.91 0.86 0.67 0.67 0.66 0.75 0.29 0.70 0.64 0.77 0.93 −0.10 0.77 0.74 1
Acidity −0.59 −0.52 −0.54 −0.64 −0.70 −0.56 −0.60 −0.29 −0.52 −0.58 −0.44 −0.69 0.28 −0.68 −0.69 −0.53 1
RI 0.80 0.81 0.81 0.76 0.80 0.72 0.78 0.35 0.71 0.70 0.69 0.92 −0.20 0.84 0.84 0.85 −0.89 1
RS 0.66 0.75 0.83 0.57 0.66 0.49 0.71 0.24 0.62 0.60 0.59 0.93 −0.15 0.69 0.65 0.93 −0.63 0.87 1
NRS 0.48 0.61 0.39 0.36 0.37 0.22 0.28 −0.15 0.19 0.38 0.57 0.67 −0.43 0.41 0.38 0.78 −0.37 0.61 0.75 1
TS 0.61 0.73 0.67 0.50 0.56 0.39 0.54 0.06 0.44 0.53 0.62 0.87 −0.30 0.60 0.56 0.92 −0.54 0.80 0.94 0.93 1
Sucrose 0.47 0.60 0.39 0.35 0.37 0.22 0.27 −0.16 0.19 0.37 0.57 0.67 −0.43 0.40 0.37 0.77 −0.36 0.61 0.75 1.00 0.93 1

Values in bold are different from 0 with a significance level alpha = 0.05; LA, Leaf area; RFW, Root fresh weight; CY, Cumulative yield; CFN, Cumulative fruit number; BL, Berry length; BW, Berry width, BT Berry
thickness; BWt, Berry weight; SI, Shape index; FF, fruit firmness; TSS, total soluble solids; RI, Ripening Index; RS, Reducing sugars; NRS, Non-reducing sugars; TS, Total sugars.
Scientia Horticulturae 265 (2020) 109215
P. Kumar, et al. Scientia Horticulturae 265 (2020) 109215

Table 12
PCA and factor loading of agro-morphometric and fruit analysis at various PGPRs probiotics.

Parameter Principal Component

PC1 PC2 PC3 PC4

Eigen value 14.38 3.15 1.84 1.02

Variability (%) 65.38 14.31 8.37 4.61
Cumulative variance (%) 65.38 79.68 88.05 92.67

Vegetative and fruit quality traits Factor loadings Eigen vectors

F1 F2 F3 F4 F1 F2 F3 F4

Plant height 0.930 0.153 −0.174 0.239 0.245 0.086 −0.128 0.237
Number of leaves 0.952 0.016 −0.003 0.097 0.251 0.009 −0.002 0.096
Leaf area 0.890 0.121 0.296 −0.206 0.235 0.068 0.218 −0.205
Root fresh wt 0.845 0.345 −0.144 −0.102 0.223 0.194 −0.106 −0.101
Number of Crowns 0.884 0.266 −0.309 0.060 0.233 0.150 −0.227 0.059
Number of runners 0.842 0.360 0.038 0.366 0.222 0.203 0.028 0.363
Cumulative yield 0.879 0.366 0.068 −0.261 0.232 0.206 0.050 −0.259
Cumulative fruit number 0.509 0.757 −0.130 −0.348 0.134 0.427 −0.096 −0.345
Berry length 0.842 0.448 0.088 −0.084 0.222 0.253 0.065 −0.083
Berry width 0.826 0.305 −0.406 −0.029 0.218 0.172 −0.300 −0.029
Berry thickness 0.751 −0.258 0.198 0.542 0.198 −0.146 0.146 0.538
Berry weight 0.902 −0.284 0.242 −0.041 0.238 −0.160 0.179 −0.041
Shape index −0.241 0.142 0.942 −0.133 −0.064 0.080 0.694 −0.132
Firmness 0.775 −0.077 0.535 0.106 0.204 −0.043 0.394 0.106
Juice pH 0.888 0.130 0.064 0.262 0.234 0.073 0.047 0.260
Total soluble solids 0.923 −0.288 0.134 −0.108 0.243 −0.162 0.099 −0.107
Acidity −0.721 −0.001 0.037 −0.050 −0.190 0.000 0.027 −0.050
Ripening Index 0.940 −0.114 0.074 −0.010 0.248 −0.064 0.054 −0.010
Reducing sugars 0.863 −0.342 0.087 −0.296 0.227 −0.193 0.064 −0.294
Non-reducing sugars 0.610 −0.730 −0.223 −0.098 0.161 −0.411 −0.164 −0.098
Total sugars 0.794 −0.562 −0.064 −0.216 0.209 −0.317 −0.047 −0.214
Sucrose 0.607 −0.733 −0.223 −0.101 0.160 −0.413 −0.165 −0.101

Factor scores

Treatment (T) F1 F2 F3 F4

T1 1.588 0.378 −0.901 −0.078

T2 1.154 −0.283 1.521 −2.305
T3 5.122 2.877 1.322 0.922
T4 1.003 −0.713 −1.275 0.676
T5 0.065 −0.159 −2.399 −0.708
T6 1.425 −0.724 −0.159 0.390
T7 −1.415 −3.397 1.524 0.896
T8 −8.941 2.020 0.366 0.208

PC1, Principal component-1; PC2, Principal component-2; PC3, Principal component-3; PC4, Principal component-4.
F1, factor-1; F2, factor-2; F3, factor-3; F4, factor-4.

and low availability in soil, while, negative DOPFe, Zn, Mn in some
treatment combinations indicated the tendency of these nutrients de-
ficiency under all treatments although its soil content is high, ascer-
tained the reason explained by the decreased availability in the soil due
to fixation by clay particles. N, P, K, Mg improved leaf N, P, K and Mg
content which could be explained with the scarcity or absence of irri-
gation and low precipitation during harvest periods due to limited the
organic matter decomposition. The data also showed the significant
differences between treatments, for nutritional balance (ΣDOP). The
larger the ΣDOP, the greater is the intensity of imbalances among nu-
trients (Montañes et al., 1991; Kumar et al., 2016, 2017; Kumar and
Chandel, 2017) did not find any significant differences for nutritional
balances (ΣDOP).
3.2. Correlation matrix
(r = 0.94), leaf area (r = 0.78), root fresh weight (r = 0.81), number of
crown (r = 0.94), number of runners (r = 0.92), commutative fruit
yield (r = 0.81), berry length (r = 0.81), berry width (r = 0.87), berry
thickness (r = 0.78), berry weight (r = 0.75), juice pH (r = 0.91), TSS
(r = 0.79) and ripening index (r = 0.80) of the fruits, whereas, it was
positive or negative and non-significant with all other morphometric
and biochemical traits studied. Ripening index of the fruits is also ex-
hibited a positive and significant relationship with plant height,
number of leaves, leaf area, root fresh weight, berry weight and firm-
ness, whereas, all other biochemical parameters had shown a non-sig-
nificant relationship among themselves. No significant correlation was
determined between fruit pH and sucrose content of the fruits. On the
other hand, the effect of PGPR probiotics on titratable acidity was ne-
gative but non- significant with various agro-morphometric and bio-
chemical fruit traits studied.

The relationship between morphometric traits and fruit quality 3.3. PCA analyses
parameters ‘Chandler’ strawberry affected at PGPRs amendments in-
oculation is depicted in Table 11. The data showed that plant height The graphical interpretation of correlation biplots and Scree plot is
exhibited a positive and significant relationship with number of leaves done by constructing PCA biplots with the original factors/variables

14
P. Kumar, et al. Scientia Horticulturae 265 (2020) 109215

Fig. 1. PCA-Correlation biplot (A–C) and Scree plot (D) of between agro-morphometric and fruit traits at various PGPRs probiotics.

drawn as ‘Eigen vectors’ that summarize the correlation between the
variable and both illustrated axes of fruit quality attributes. PCA studies
identified the first components which accounted for maximum of the
total variance f based on the Eigen value (> 1) and explained 65.38%
(PC1), 79.68% (PC2), 88.05% (PC3) and 92.67% (PC4) of the cumu-
lative variance. PC4 accounted for highest total cumulative variances
among fruit phenological, morphometric and generative potential
strawberry traits (Table 12). The PCA studies considered variables with
equal or greater values than 2/3rd of the highest variable value within
each PC. The PCA explained the variability for the different PGPR
probiotics in PCs, showing that microbial consortium is important in
the fourth PC; this means that the PGPR group was influenced by the
plots and environmental conditions. The PC1, which accounted for
about 65.38% of the variation, was strongly associated with all mor-
phometric and biochemical traits expect shape index and titratable
acidity of the fruits. The sign of the factor loading indicates the direc-
tion of the relationship between the component and the variable. The
PC2, which accounted for about 14.31% of the total variation, was
named as yield component as it considered number of fruits affected by
different PGPR inoculation. Similarly, the PC4 accounted for the
highest cumulative variances among plant growth, yield and quality
traits. The minimum data set suggested for plant height, number of
leaves, leaf area, root fresh weight, number of crowns, number of
runners, cumulative yield, cumulative fruit number, berry length, berry
width, berry thickness, berry weight, shape Index, firmness, juice pH,
total soluble solids, acidity, ripening Index, reducing sugars, non-re-
ducing sugars, total sugars and sucrose content by PCA studies. Factor
loadings > 0.40 among different PCs being the highly weighted vari-
ables were considered (Wander and Bolero, 1999) Fig. 1.
4. Conclusions
The study indicated PGPRs coupled with soil solarization as a pro-
mising technology to maintain healthy rhizosphere and an alternative
to chemicalised farming of strawberry for enhancing its quality pro-
duction in calcareous soils of Shiwalik foothills of north-west
Himalayas.
CRediT authorship contribution statement
Pramod Kumar: Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal analysis,
Investigation, Project administration, Resources, Supervision. Nisha
Sharma: Data curation, Writing - original draft. Sandeep Sharma:
Formal analysis, Writing - review & editing. Rucku Gupta: Formal
analysis, Writing - review & editing.

15
P. Kumar, et al.
Declaration of Competing Interest
None.
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