Influence of Bio-Fertilizer, Produced by Lumbricus rubellus on Growth, Leaf Gas-Exchange and Photosynthetic Pigment Content of Pepper Plants (Capsicum annuum L.)

Pepper plants were grown in a phytostatic chamber under controller conditions. Seedlings were fertilized with a bio-fertilizer, produced by the Californian earthworm Lumbricus rubellus at concentrations of 50.0 and 100.0 ml/per plant respectively. It was discovered that bio-fertilizer speeds up plant growth. It influences the growth rate of the roots and stems and affects the formation of the leaf area. There is a positive effect of the bio-fertilizer upon the functional activity of the photosynthetic apparatus - increased content of photosynthetic pigments, improved leaf gas exchange.