Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Early Access

Efficacy of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis in managing groundnut leaf blight disease caused by Alternaria alternata

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.7861
Submitted
21 February 2025
Published
05-06-2025
Versions

Abstract

This study evaluated five Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf) strains and ten Bacillus subtilis (Bs) strains for their antagonistic effects against Alternaria alternata under in vitro conditions. Among them, Pf1 and Bs1 demonstrated the highest inhibition of mycelial growth. Subsequent greenhouse and field trials focused on the most effective strains (Pf1, Pf2, Bs1 and Bs5). Under greenhouse conditions, treatments involving Seed Treatment (ST) and Foliar Spray (FS) significantly reduced disease intensity. Field trials confirmed that seed treatment with Pf1 at 10 g/kg of seed, followed by two foliar sprays at 30 and 40 days after sowing at 0.2 %, effectively reduced disease incidence and enhanced yield. The results suggest that biocontrol agents, particularly Pf1, can serve as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fungicides for managing leaf blight in groundnut.

References

  1. 1. Glick BR. Plant growth-promoting bacteria: Mechanisms and applications. Scientifica. 2012; 2012:963401. https://doi.org/10.6064/2012/963401
  2. 2. Weller DM, Raaijmakers JM, Gardener BB, Thomashow LS. Microbial populations responsible for specific soil suppressiveness to plant pathogens. Annu Rev Phytopathol. 2002;40(1):309–48. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.phyto.40.030402.110010
  3. 3. Raaijmakers JM, de Bruijn I, Nybroe O, Ongena M. Natural functions of lipopeptides from Bacillus and Pseudomonas: more than surfactants and antibiotics. FEMS Microbiol Rev. 2010;34(6):1037–62. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6976.2010.00221.x
  4. 4. Sarma BK, Mishra PK, Kumar V, Prakash A. Plant microbiomes for sustainable agriculture. Cham: Springer Nature. 2020.
  5. 5. Ahmad F, Ahmad I, Khan MS. Screening of free-living rhizospheric bacteria for their multiple plant growth-promoting activities. Microbiol Res. 2008;163(2):173–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2006.04.001
  6. 6. Alabouvette C, Olivain C, Steinberg C. Biological control of plant diseases: The European situation. Eur J Plant Pathol. 2006;114(3):329–41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-005-0233-0
  7. 7. Cook RJ, Baker KF. The nature and practice of biological control of plant pathogens. St. Paul, MN: American Phytopathological Society Press. 1983.
  8. 8. Raaijmakers JM, Paulitz TC, Steinberg C, Alabouvette C, Moënne-Loccoz Y. The rhizosphere: A playground and battlefield for soilborne pathogens and beneficial microorganisms. Plant Soil. 2009;321(1):341–61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-008-9568-6
  9. 9. Haas D, Défago G. Biological control of soil-borne pathogens by fluorescent pseudomonads. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2005;3(4):307–19. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro1129
  10. 10. Singh HB, Singh SP, Singh UP. Effect of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and cultural practices on plant diseases. Indian J Agric Sci. 2002;72(8):439–43.
  11. 11. Arora NK, Verma M. Modified microbe-based approaches for the biocontrol of plant pathogens. Curr Trends Microbiol. 2017;12(4):45–58.
  12. 12. Harman GE. Myths and dogmas of biocontrol: Changes in perceptions derived from research on Trichoderma harzianum T-22. Plant Dis. 2000;84(4):377–93. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS.2000.84.4.377
  13. 13. Whipps JM. Microbial interactions and biocontrol in the rhizosphere. J Exp Bot. 2001;52(357):487–511. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/52.suppl_1.487
  14. 14. Jetiyanon K, Kloepper JW. Mixtures of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria for induction of systemic resistance against multiple plant diseases. Biol Control. 2002;24(3):285–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1049-9644(02)00022-1
  15. 15. Backman PA, Sikora RA. Endophytic bacteria: Prospects for the biological control of plant diseases. J Plant Pathol. 2008;90(3):341–54.
  16. 16. Compant S, Duffy B, Nowak J, Clément C, Barka EA. Use of plant growth-promoting bacteria for biocontrol of plant diseases: principles, mechanisms of action and future prospects. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2005;71(9):4951–59. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.71.9.4951-4959.2005
  17. 17. Sneh B. Use of Trichoderma spp. to control Alternaria alternata in vegetable crops. Biocontrol Sci Technol. 2008;18(1):9–20.
  18. 18. Yang J, Kloepper JW, Ryu CM. Rhizosphere bacteria help plants tolerate abiotic stress. Trends Plant Sci. 2009;14(1):1–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2008.10.004
  19. 19. Zeilinger S, Omann M, Atanasova L. Friends or foes? Emerging insights from fungal interactions with plants and soil microbes. Fungal Biol. 2016;120(4):433–45.
  20. 20. Lugtenberg BJ, Kamilova F. Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria. Annu Rev Microbiol. 2009; 63:541–56. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.micro.62.081307.162918

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.