Comparative performance of formulations of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in growth promotion and suppression of downy mildew in pearl millet

Abstract

Five plant growth promoting rhizobacterial formulations, each consisting of two Bacilli strains with chitosan as a carrier were tested for their capacity to promote growth and induce resistance against downy mildew in pearl millet under both greenhouse and field conditions. Three modes of applications were tested: seed treatment, soil amendment, and seed treatment+soil amendment. In general, irrespective of application method, most of the formulations, in comparison with the control, increased plant growth and vigor as measured by seed germination, seedling vigor, plant height, fresh and dry weight, leaf area, tillering capacity, number of earheads, length and girth of earhead, 1000 seed weight and yield. The time of flowering was also advanced by 4–5 days over the control. Likewise all the formulations significantly reduced downy mildew incidence relative to the nontreated control. However, the rate of growth enhancement and disease suppression varied considerably with the formulations. Formulations LS256 and LS257 besides being the best growth promoters were also the most efficient resistance inducers. None of the formulations matched the level of the fungicide metalaxyl in offering protection against downy mildew. Among the application methods tested, soil amendment was found to be the most suitable and desirable way of delivering the formulations. Combination of seed treatment and soil amendment produced the same effect that was produced by soil amendment alone. The study demonstrates a potential role for plant growth promoting rhizobacterial formulations in downy mildew management.