Growth promotion potential of <i>Bacillus</i> spp. isolates on two tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> L.) varieties in the West region of Cameroon

Abstract Inoculation of plants with plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) is an ecological approach to improve growth and yield. The objective this study was screen native PGPBs in tomato root rhizosphere evaluate their performance germination seedlings the greenhouse western region Cameroon. Isolates were selected based on ability solubilize phosphate, produce indole-3-acetic acid, seed seedling under laboratory conditions. Following screening, eight (S1, S4, S13, S14, S16, B9, B11, B15) assess greenhouse. Seeds two varieties (one improved, Raja, local one, Foolewouh) used study. experiment performed sterilized non-sterilized soils. Phylogenetic analysis 16S rRNA sequence showed that these belong genus Bacillus , including B. thuringiensis cereus pacificus aerius . bacterial depended variety conditions soil treatment. improved (up 31.93%) seeding strength 78.59%) vitro In greenhouse, inoculation PGPB significantly increased stem height, length, weight fresh dry stems roots. Raja more sensitive better than Foolewouh variety. Bacterial isolates allowed compared soil. (strain B9), B11), sp. can be as inoculant formulations plant.