Impact of Italpollina Microbio microbial fertilizers (Koveron and Tifi) on substrate microbiota and root endosphere in garden strawberry cultivation

This study evaluated the biological efficacy of Italpollina Microbio microbial fertilizers of Koveron and Tifi brands in garden strawberry cultivation by assessing their impact on the substrate microbiota and the root endosphere. The study materials comprised the Italpollina Microbio fertilizers by Koveron and Tifi , Italpollina 5AP organo-mineral fertilizer (OMF), and plug seedlings of five introduced garden strawberry cultivars (Elsanta, NF 421 (Asia), Flair, Magnus, Dahli). Microbiological analysis of the substrate was performed by plating suspensions on nutrient media. Endophytic microbiota from roots was isolated via the plating surface-sterilized plant tissues. Artificial inoculation of leaves with endophytic bacteria was conducted to assess their effect on the studied genotypes. The substrate microbiota in the strawberry plugs was dominated by Cladosporium, Alternaria, Fusarium, Rhizopus, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Trichoderma micromycetes; bacteria were also isolated. The application of Italpollina Microbio fertilizers by Koveron and Tifi reduced fungal contamination of the peat-based mix by 1.6 times, while the number of bacterial colony-forming units increased by 1.2 times. The effect of endophytic bacteria on leaves was characterized as neutral or positive, attributed to their protective function against fungal pathogens. A high level of bacterial colonization within strawberry root tissues exerted a beneficial effect. The use of the studied microbial fertilizers increased the level of endophytic bacteria in most experimental samples of the Flair and Elsanta cultivars by 3 and 2 times, respectively, compared to the control. A similar increase was observed for NF 421 (Asia), Magnus, and Dahli cultivars only when using Italpollina Microbio by Tifiin combination with Italpollina 5AP OMF. The biological efficacy of Italpollina Microbio by Koveron and Tifi manifested through both direct and indirect mechanisms. Direct effects included antagonistic suppression of pathogenic microorganisms and enhancement of plant nutrition via stimulation of microbial processes in the substrate. Indirectly, efficacy was mediated by an increased population of endophytic bacteria, which play a supportive role in suppressing plant pathogens.

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