Abstract

ANTAGONISTIC EFFECT OF BACILLUS SPECIES IN BIOCONTROL OF PLANT PATHOGEN FUSARIUM

R. Mangalanayaki* and R. Durga

ABSTRACT

Fusarium solaniis the causative organism of Fusariumwilt of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill). Five Bacillus spp identified as B.cereus 1, B.cereus 2, B.subtilis1, B.subtilis 2 and B.pumilus were tested for biocontrol activities in vitro as zone of inhibition and invitro as percent disease control and disease incidence. The result from invitro analysis showed that F. solani inhibited the growth of B.pumilusthe most by 95.2% while B.cereushad the highest growth of F.solani and inhibition of 22.07%. B.pumilus and B.subtilisshowed inhibition of 95.20% and 30.5% respectively. In vivo, B.cereushad the least disease incidence and highest percent disease control (18.75% and 81.2%). This was significantly different from the control (100% and 0%), B.pumilus. (25% and 75%), B.pumilus (37.5% and 62.5%) and B.subtilis (37.5% and 62.5%). This results shows that these four Bacillus spare very effective biocontrol agents and should be harnessed for further biocontrol applications.

Keywords: Bacillus spp. Biological control. Fusarium Wilt. Inhibition.