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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

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

Characterisation of a brinjal-associated bacterial endophyte with antagonistic potential against Ralstonia solanacearum

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.14707
Submitted
26 March 2026
Published
30-06-2026

Abstract

Bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, is a major constraint to brinjal production and requires the implementation of sustainable management strategies. In the present investigation, a bacterial endophyte, KnEB54, was isolated from the tissues of healthy brinjal plants and assessed for antagonistic efficiency against R. solanacearum. Morphologic examination of KnEB54 revealed smooth circular, cream-coloured, small colonies. Biochemical profiling using the VITEK® 2 compact automated bacterial identification system revealed a unique metabolic profile with the ability to utilise a wide range of carbohydrates and various enzymatic activities, which is evidence of high ecological adaptability. Molecular identification by 16S rRNA sequencing revealed 98.64 % similarity with Enterobacter soli. In vitro antagonistic assays confirmed that KnEB54 effectively suppressed the growth of R. solanacearum, indicating its potential as a biocontrol agent. These results have demonstrated that the endophytic E. soli strain KnEB54 is a promising isolate for biological control of bacterial wilt of brinjal. Nevertheless, to establish its practical relevance in sustainable agriculture, comprehensive greenhouse and field trials, along with detailed investigations into its functional attributes, remain imperative.

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