Open AccessGreenhouse evaluation of rhizobia as biocontrol agent of root-infecting fungi in okra
Author(s) -
I. A. Siddiqui,
Syed EhteshamulHaque,
M. J. Zaki,
Abdul Ghaffar
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
acta agrobotanica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.4
H-Index - 9
eISSN - 2300-357X
pISSN - 0065-0951
DOI - 10.5586/aa.2000.002
Subject(s) - macrophomina phaseolina , biology , vigna , fusarium solani , rhizoctonia solani , rhizobia , root rot , horticulture , botany , agronomy , symbiosis , bacteria , genetics
Nine rhizobial strains isolated from the root nodules of Cicer arietinum, Vigna radiata, V. mungo, Samania saman, Sesbania sesban, Leucinia sp., Prosopis cineraria and Medicago sativa were used to study their effects on root-infecting fungi viz., Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium solani and Rhizoctonia solani. In dual culture plate assay, strains of Bradyrhizobium sp., and R. meliloti were found to inhibit radial growth of M. phaseolina, F. solani and R. solani producing zones of inhibition. Bradyrhizobium sp., and R. meliloti either used as seed dressing or as soil drench significantly suppressed root-rot infection caused by M. phaseolina, F. solani and R. solani in okra, a non-1eguminous crop under greenhouse conditions. Biomass of plants was also higher in the presence of rhizobia