Biocontrol of Sclerotium rolfsii Using Antagonistic Activities of Pseudomonads

Thirty well-characterized pseudomonad isolates for plant growth-promoting traits were screened for their antagonistic activities against 20 isolates of Sclerotium rolfsii. Out of the 30 pseudomonad isolates, PUR46 was found to be best against all 20 isolates of Sclerotium rolfsii, because of its unique ability to suppress the growth of mycelia as well as the sclerotia formation of most of the S. rolfsii isolates in vitro conditions. In our previous study, PUR46 was also found to be positive for growth promoting traits like phosphorus solubilization and ammonification. The results suggested that expression of one or more of the traits like antagonistic activity against S. rolfsii and solubilization of tri-calcium phosphate may help in controlling the pathogen besides enhancement of plant growth. In this study, our investigations clearly indicate that PGPR isolates PUR 46 may be exploited to be used as potential biocontrol agents against S. rolfsii in agriculture system.