Strategy For Controlling Bacterial Leaf Blight (Xanthomonas sp.) on Eucalyptus Pellita Plants by Administering P. aeruginosa RE081

Abstract

The demand for Eucalyptus Pellita seeds as a high-throughput inoculum (HTI) crop commodity in the field is extremely high. However, Xanthomonas sp., a bacteria that causes bacterial leaf blight, poses a significant challenge in ensuring a steady supply of healthy seedlings in nurseries. Researchers have explored using the rhizobacteria P. aeruginosa RE081 as an environmentally friendly biocontrol agent to address this issue. This study aims to determine the optimal concentration of P. aeruginosa RE081 that can effectively reduce the incidence and severity of bacterial leaf blight caused by Xanthomonas sp. The research was conducted using a completely randomized design, with different concentrations of P. aeruginosa RE081 (105, 106, 107, 108 CFU/mL) being tested. The findings indicate that the biological agent's concentration significantly impacts plant disease occurrence and severity. In vivo testing revealed that P. aeruginosa RE081 reduced disease severity by only 2.13% at a 108 CFU/mL concentration. Interestingly, concentrations lower than 108 CFU/mL increased disease severity compared to the control group.