Plant growth, foliar nutritional content and fruit yield of Capsicum chinense biofertilized with Purpureocillium lilacinum under greenhouse conditions.

• Purpureocillium lilacinum solubilizes more efficiently Ca 3 (PO 4) 2 than FePO 4. • P. lilacinum enhances indole-3-acetic acid but not siderophore production. • P. lilacinum augments shoot and root biomass in pot assays. • Inoculation of P. lilacinum in Capsicum chinense increases the foliar P content. • Biofertilization of C. chinense plants enhances the chlorophyll index. Biofertilizers can increase soil fertility and plant health. This study aimed to evaluate the solubilization of inorganic P-sources and the production of siderophores and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) by Purpureocillium lilacinum and to evaluate the effect of its inoculation on plant growth, fruit quality and yield of Capsicum chinense under greenhouse conditions. Fungus was able to enhance solubilization of Ca 3 (PO 4) 2 and FePO 4 as well as the production of siderophores and IAA. In pot trials, C. chinense plants inoculated with P. lilacinum showed higher stem diameter, fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots. Under greenhouse conditions, C. chinense plants inoculated with P. lilacinum had a greater height and a higher score on the chlorophyll index at 90 and 60 days after transplantation (dat). At 145 dat, the root weight of plants increased by 59.2%. At 90 dat, the foliar P content of C. chinense plants was enhanced by 10%. Fruit weight and size also increased by 4.3% and 9.15%, respectively, although the number of fruits per plant and fruit yield did not increase. This study indicates the suitability of P. lilacinum as biofertilizing agent based on its ability to generate beneficial effects on growth and nutrient uptake of C. chinense plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]