Enhancing resistance of rice bean to diseases by seed treatmentwith Pseudomonas flourescens and Bacillus species

Abstract

Efficacy of seed bacterization with six rhizobacterial isolates was assessed in laboratory conditions to evaluate their resistance inducing ability in rice bean. Pseudomonas. fluorescens isolates B5, B6, B8, B9 and B17 and Bacillus species isolate B18 were found effective in reducing the percentage of diseased seedling but showed the plant growth promotion. Increased levels of catalase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and poly phenol oxidase (PPO) were observed in seedlings indicating higher levels of ISR. Maximum induction of defense enzymes was observed with isolate B5 followed by B6 and B18. The utilization of indigenous PGPR strains as inducers of plant defense response may offer a practical solution for eco-friendly management of plant diseases.