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Induction of systemic resistance by mixtures of fungal and endophytic bacterial isolates against Pythium aphanidermatum

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Abstract

The efficacy of eight fungal and ten endophytic bacterial isolates were tested for their ability to inhibit the growth of Pythium aphanidermatum, the causal agent of chilli damping-off. In vitro studies revealed that Trichoderma viride (TVA) and endophytic Pseudomonas fluorescens (EBL 20-PF) showed the highest inhibition of mycelial growth (71.5%; 76.7%) of P. aphanidermatum. Both the antagonists were compatible with each other and they were tested alone and together in vivo for the control of P. aphanidermatum. Besides, the induction of defense-related enzymes such as peroxidase (PO), polyphenoloxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), PR-protein like β-1, 3-glucanase and the accumulation of phenolics in chilli seedlings due to the application of bioagents were also studied. Combined application of talc-based formulation of bio-agents and challenge inoculated with P. aphanidermatum recorded maximum induction of defense-related enzymes, PR-proteins and accumulation of phenolics compared with individual application. This study suggest that the increased induction of defense-related enzymes (four to fivefold) and phenolic content (sixfold) due to the combination treatment of bioagents might have involved in the reduction of damping-off incidence and in turn increased the plant growth and yield of chilli.

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Abbreviations

TVA:

Trichoderma viride Annamalainagar

EBL 20-PF:

Endophytic bacteria leaf 20—Pseudomonas fluorescens

PR:

Pathogenesis-related protein

PO:

Peroxidase

PPO:

Polyphenoloxidase

PAL:

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase

PAGE:

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

PGPR:

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria

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  1. Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India

    A. Muthukumar, A. Eswaran & G. Sangeetha

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  1. A. Muthukumar
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  2. A. Eswaran
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  3. G. Sangeetha
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Correspondence to A. Muthukumar.

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Communicated by B. Barna.

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Muthukumar, A., Eswaran, A. & Sangeetha, G. Induction of systemic resistance by mixtures of fungal and endophytic bacterial isolates against Pythium aphanidermatum . Acta Physiol Plant 33, 1933–1944 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-011-0742-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-011-0742-8

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