Evaluation of Combinatorial Capacity of Coconut and Cocoa Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) with Biocontrol Agent Trichoderma harzianum

Volume 3- Issue 4

Khadeejath Rajeela TH, Alka Gupta*, Murali Gopal, Vinayaka Hegde and George V Thomas

Received: June 19, 2018;   Published: July 06, 2018

DOI: 10.32474/CIACR.2018.03.000168

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Abstract

Combining PGPR and biocontrol agents that are compatible with each other is a strategic approach to enhance plant growth and development, control plant diseases and pests. A screening study was carried out to evaluate the compatibility of eight PGPR isolated from the rhizosphere and endorhizosphere of coconut (Pseudomonas putida KnSF208, Bacillus licheniformis RSB14, Bacillus megaterium TEB2, Bacillus megaterium TSB16) and cocoa (Bacillus cereus ASB3, Bacillus subtilis VEB4, Bacillus licheniformis KGEB16, Pseudomonas putida KDSF23) with fungal antagonist, Trichoderma harzianum, under in vitro conditions. The Trichoderma harzianum was isolated from the rhizosphere of coconut. All the PGPR isolates were tested for compatibility with Trichoderma harzianum by dual culture technique on four different media. Among the coconut PGPR isolates tested, Bacillus megaterium TSB16 was found to be compatible with Trichoderma harzianum on nutrient agar and King’s B agar. However, none of the cocoa PGPR were compatible with Trichoderma harzianum on all the media tested. This study indicates that combined application of PGPR Bacillus megaterium TSB16 and Trichoderma harzianum, as bioinoculants, is possible for dual benefits of enhanced plant growth and soilborne pathogen suppression.

Keywords: Bacillus megaterium; Trichoderma harzianum; Compatibility; Fluorescent Pseudomonas

Abstract| Introduction| Materials and Methods| Selection of suitable medium for antagonistic studies| Results| Discussion| Conclusion| Acknowledgement| References|