Effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on fruit set, pomological and chemical characteristics, color values, andvegetative growth of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus cv. Kütahya)

This study was performed to determine eff ects of 4 plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (Bacillus subtilis OSU - 142, Bacillus megaterium M - 3, Burkholderia cepacia OSU – 7, and Pseudomonas putida BA - 8) alone and in combinations on fruit set of sour cherry trees (Prunus cerasus L., cv. Kütahya), and to investigate their resulting pomological and chemical characteristics as well as vegetative growth. All the tested bacterial strains alone or some of their combinations have a great potential to increase especially fruit set and plant vegetative growth, and indirectly aff ect fruit pomological and chemical characteristics. Therefore, they may be considered as biofertilizer for fruit, vegetable, and ornamental plant production in sustainable and ecological agricultural systems.