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 <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> (Pa-5 and IE-2) and <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> isolate alone or in conjunction with neem cake or <i>Datura fastuosa</i> was tested for the management of three soilbrne root-infecting fungi including <i>Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium solani</i> and <i>Rhizoctonia solani</i> and the root-knot nematode, <i>Meloidogyne javanica</i> on uridbean. Biocontrol bacteria used in combination with either neem cake or <i>D.fastuosa</i> 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 <i>P.aeruginosa</i> strain IE-2 caused greatest inhibition of the root-knot development due to <i>M.javanica, P.aeruginosa</i> and <i>B.subtilis</i> used with organic amendment also increased <i>Bradyrhizobium</i>-nodules in the root system.