EFFECTIVENESS OF PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA (PGPR) ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF CHILI PEPPER (Capsicum frutesscens L.)

Abstract

Chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) is a horticultural crop belonging to the Solanaceae family with high economic value. It is widely used as a culinary spice and constitutes one of the primary vegetables consumed daily by the Indonesian population. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) on the growth and yield of chili pepper plants and to determine the optimal PGPR concentration for enhancing plant development and productivity. The research was conducted from May until completion in Lakessi Village, Maritenggae Subdistrict, Sidenreng Rappang Regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The treatments applied were as follows: K0 (control), K1 (12 ml/L of water), K2 (12.5 ml/L of water), K3 (13 ml/L of water), K4 (13.5 ml/L of water), and K5 (14 ml/L of water). The results showed that PGPR application had a significant effect on plant height but no significant effect on the number of leaves. The PGPR concentration of K2 (12.5 ml/L of water) resulted in the highest average plant height (42.33 cm). Meanwhile, for the number of leaves, the K2 concentration also recorded the highest average (50.67 leaves), although the difference was not statistically significant.

Keywords: Chili pepper, PGPR, plant growth, yield.