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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp2 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Biocontrol potential of stem endophytic bacteria against blast disease (Magnaporthe grisea) in pearl millet

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.13353
Submitted
25 December 2025
Published
20-04-2026

Abstract

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is a cereal crop in Asia and Africa, with India being a significant centre for its diversification. Pearl millet faces numerous challenges, including various fungal diseases that significantly impact yields. Among these, the blast disease caused by the fungus Magnaporthe grisea has become a major concern for both forage and grain production in India. The characteristic symptoms include greyish, water-soaked lesions, leading to chlorosis and reduced yields. A promising approach is the use of indigenous bacterial endophytes with biocontrol capabilities. These endophytes produce phytohormones along with secondary metabolites, which increase the tolerance of the plant level against various stresses and pathogens. Therefore, this investigation was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of indigenous bacterial endophytes. Field evaluation during kharif 2021 and 2022 demonstrated that seed treatment combined with foliar spray of PMSEB 3 (T4) recorded the lowest disease incidence at 60 DAS (56.94 % and 56.93 % respectively) compared to higher incidence in other treatments. It also improved germination up to 71.4 % and 69.33 % in the respective years. The morphological and biochemical traits of PMSEB 3 exhibited distinctive colony morphology, fast growth and rod-shaped cells. It showed metabolic flexibility, with the ability to perform mixed acid fermentation, utilise citrate as a carbon source and hydrolysed starch. These traits make PMSEB 3 a valuable resource for biocontrol of pearl millet blast disease. The study highlights the significance of utilising indigenous bacterial endophytes as a sustainable and eco-friendly approach for managing pearl millet blast disease.

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