Evaluation of Endophytic Microbial Consortium for the Management of Bacterial Wilt of Tomato Caused by Ralstonia solanacearum

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al., is a major production constraint in tomato cultivation in Kerala. Five different endophytic microbial consortia were evaluated against R. solanacearum under in planta condition. Among five, the consortium consisting of three fungi viz. Trichoderma harzianum -1 (VSF-3), T. viride -1 (CSF-1) and T. viride -2 (MyRF-1), one bacteria viz. Bacillus subtilis (VSB-1) and one actinomycete, Streptomyces thermodiastaticus (ORA-1) was found effective against bacterial wilt under pot culture condition when it was applied in combination of seed treatment (1g/2 ml), seedling root dip for 30 min and soil drenching at 45 DAP (30 ml/ plant). The antagonistic endophytic bacterial consortium was also evaluated under field condition by seed treatment, seedling root dip and soil drenching. Field evaluation of endophytic consortium against bacterial wilt resulted in 40.85 per cent reduction in wilt incidence in highly susceptible variety, PKM-1, 46.94 per cent reduction in susceptible F1 hybrid, COTH-3, and 52.81 per cent reduction in moderately resistant variety, Mukthi. The plots treated with endophytic consortium recorded maximum yield of 2.67 kg, 8.62 kg and 6.38 kg against 0.25 kg, 3.25 kg and 2.08 kg in control in varieties, PKM-1, COTH-3 and Mukthi respectively.