POTENTIAL OF SOME RHIZOSPHERIC BACTERIAL STRAINS TO MANAGE BACTERIAL WILT OF TOMATO

Abstract

Bacterial wilt induced by ‘Ralastonia solanacerum’ is a major constraint in vegetable production worldwide. In
this study, potential of some rhizospheric bacterial strains to manage bacterial wilt disease under greenhouse was
evaluated. The strains were applied by soil drench method. Strains PM12 and PM29 provided maximum controls
and reduced disease index up to 70% on tomato plants, compared with the pathogen control. These two strains also
induced tomato plants for higher inducible production of defense related biochemicals like total phenolics,
peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) when were used to inoculate
the root. Furthermore these strains significantly promoted growth of tomato under greenhouse conditions. Taken all
together, the present study concludes that these two strains have great potential to manage bacterial wilt of tomato
and can be successfully used in our conventional agriculture system.