The Agrobio biofertilizer is prepared from fresh cattle manure, water, molasses and minerals in open containers. This product has been widely used by organic and conventional farmers of the Rio de Janeiro State to control several plant pathogens. This research aimed to elucidate and quantify some of the aspects related to the beneficial effect of Agrobio on bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) transplants under greenhouse conditions. Two cultivars, 'Cascadura Ikeda' and 'Cascadura Itaipu' were used. Four Agrobio treatments, all diluted 5% (v/v) in distilled water were used. They consisted of: (a) raw; (b) autoclaved (120ºC/20 min); (c) filtered in millipore (0,22 µ diameter) and (d) the fraction retained on the millipore. They were applied as foliage sprays or directly on the substrate. As control treatments, oxytetracicline + streptomycin sulphate (0.8 g L-1), copper oxichloride (2.4 g L-1) and water were used. Raw of filtered Agrobio, as a foliage spray, resulted in better control of the disease and higher growth of the transplants, compared to autoclaved and fraction retained of the Agrobio and substrate sprays. All Agrobio treatments resulted in a less satisfactory disease control when compared to the commercial products, copper oxichloride and oxitetracicline + streptomycin sulphate, but more, effective than water. Agrobio stimulated the vegetative growth of the transplants, reduced the incidence of bacterial spot, increased the leaf area and promoted a better retention of infected leaves and the Bacillus spp. population.
Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vesicatoria; Capsicum annuum L.; antibiosis; epidemiology; control
