INDUCTION OF SYSTEMIC RESISTANCE IN TOMATO BY PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA PM12 AGAINST FUSARIUM WILT

Abstract

This study was carried out to check the potential of a bacterial strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa PM12 for
inducing systemic resistance in tomato against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. Significant reduction in
disease index of 87.09% was observed under the influence of this bacterial strain. P. aeruginosa was found to be
involved in induction of systemic resistance through upregulation of defense related compounds like phenolics,
polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (PO), and phenyl ammonia lyase (PAL). Greenhouse study revealed that P.
aeruginosa significantly increased growth parameters like biomass, root and shoot length in tomato plants whereas
calorimetric assays showed the ability of this strain to produce growth related biochemicals (total soluble sugars,
cholorophyll and carotenoid content) efficiently. Therefore it can be concluded from this study that P. aeruginosa
can be used for the management of fusarium wilt of tomato and to promote sustainable agriculture in Pakistan. This
study will open new ways for the use of indigenous biocontrol agents against the pathogens to obtain higher yields.