The interaction effect of bio-fertilizer and metribuzin herbicide on growth and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and bacterial colonization

In order to investigate the effect of biological fertilizers and application of metribuzin herbicide on growth and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and weed population, a field experiment was conducted as randomized complete block design with three replications at the research field of Shahrood University of Technology. The experimental treatments included; weed free and weed infest all season, inoculation of root of tomato transplant with Pseudomonas fluorescens and Azotobacter crococum separately, soil application of metribuzin herbicide 500, 1000 and 1500 g.ha-1 and the mentioned dosage of herbicide (500, 1000 and 1500 g.ha-1) along with inoculation of P. fluorescens and A. crococum. Results showed that A. crococum and P. fluorescens in combination with low doses of herbicide (500 g.ha-1) increased bacterial colonization by 57.89 and 52.63 percent compared to the control (weedy) treatment respectively. High doses of herbicide (1500 g.ha-1) alone or in combination with bio-fertilizers decreased bacterial colonization in soil and growth and yield of tomato. Also, A. crococum and P. fluorescens in combination with low doses of herbicide increased the number of ripe fruit of tomato by 26.4 and 24.8 percent in comparison to weed free treatment respectively. Based on the results of this experiment, application of bio-fertilizers (A. crococum and P. fluorescens) together with 500 g.ha-1 metribuzin herbicide while improving the growth and yield of tomato and optimal weed control can be an important step towards achieving sustainable agricultural