Vol. 11, Issue 5 (2022)

Author(s):
I Johnson, B Sreenayana, VP Suruthi, R Manikandan, R Ramjegathesh and M Karthikeyan

Abstract:
Pseudomonas fluorescens is a plant growth promoting rhizobacteria is proved to one of the most important and effective biocontrol agents against many plant diseases and a potential replacement for the fungicides in disease management. Ratherly used this antagonist by various ways through seed treatment, root dipping or soil application directly is not capable to uphold elevated population in soil/rhizosphere due to sharp competition from inhabitant microflora and therefore this application of P. fluorescens Pf1 talc formulation to the soil with and without farm yard manure was evaluated. Increase in population of 4.0 x 10 9 cfu g -1 of soil up to 20 days was observed when Pf1 applied along with FYM, while application without FYM resulted in decreased population from 10 days onwards. P. fluorescens Pf1 potentially inhibited the growth of the fungal mycelium in tomato soil borne pathogens like Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici and Sclerotium rolfsii. Seed treatment and soil application of P. fluorescens Pf1 increased the germination and enhanced the seedling vigour also. Apart from PGPR activity Pf1 also induced accumulation of defense related enzymes viz., Phenylammonia lyase (PAL), Peroxidase (PO), Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and the prolonged enzyme accumulation is well correlated with application of Pf1 with farm yard manure in tomato plants.