Use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and soil organic amendments for the management of root diseases complex of uridbean

Abstract

Efficacy of two strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa-5 and IE-2) and Bacillus subtilis isolate alone or in conjunction with neem cake or Datura fastuosa was tested for the management of three soilbrne root-infecting fungi including Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium solani and Rhizoctonia solani and the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica on uridbean. Biocontrol bacteria used in combination with either neem cake or D.fastuosa gave better control of the root-rot and root-knot infection with the enhancement of growth of uridbean compared to the use ofeither component alone. Neem cake l% w/w mixed with P.aeruginosa strain IE-2 caused greatest inhibition of the root-knot development due to M.javanica, P.aeruginosa and B.subtilis used with organic amendment also increased Bradyrhizobium-nodules in the root system.