International Journal of  Applied Bioresearch (IJAB)

ISSN 2250 - 2033 (Print); e -ISSN: 2250 - 2041 (Online)

Fluorescent Pseudomonas as plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria and biocontrol agents in groundnut crop (Arachis hypogaea L.)

S. Ganesan and R. Sekar

Volume No. 12                                                                  October,2012

Abstract

 Microorganisms have been extensively used for the biological control of soil borne plant disease as well as for promoting plant growth. In the present work bio control activity of eleven Pseudomonas isolates was tested against Sclerotium rolfsii causing stem rot disease in Groundnut by dual culture method. Seven isolates showed above 68% of inhibition. Mechanisms of bio control activity of the Pseudomonas isolates were determined by studying production of Non-Volatile compound (Antibiosis), Volatile compound (HCN production) Siderophore (Microbial Iron Transport Agents) and Chitinase activity (Lysis). All the isolates showed varied level of these activities. Effect of Pseudomonas isolates as Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) in Groundnut and as bio control agent against S. rolfsii was studied in pot culture experiment. Bio control agent treated plants showed vigorous growth and no disease incidence was noticed. Utilization of Pseudomonas fluorescence as PGPR and bio control agent in Groundnut crop is discussed.

Keywords: Pseudomonas, Sclerotium rolfsii, biocontrol, Mechanism, Groundnut.