Talcs And Beneficial Bacteria Teaming Up To Shield Sunflowers From Root Rot

Abstract

A talc-based formulation of biocontrol agents, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PGPR-11 and PGPR-27), Bradyrhizobium sp., (NFB-1) and Sinorhizobium sahelens (NFB-30) was developed supplemented with 1% chitin. Their suppressive effect was promising against root infecting fungi, like Rhizoctonia solani, Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium oxysporum and F.solani, different growth parameters of sunflower plants were also observed in screen-house and field experiments at different time intervals. Seeds were treated by talc chitin-based formulation of NFB-1, NFB-30, PGPR-11, and PGPR-27, effectively reduced the incidence of M. phaseolina F. solani, F. oxysporum and R. solani, as compared to untreated plants (control). Sunflower seeds treated with bioformulation mixture, significantly increased growth parameters and suppressed root rot pathogens. During the storage of antagonistic bacteria viz, P. aeruginosa (PGPR-11 and PGPR-27) and Bradyrhizobium sp., (NFB-1) and S.sahelens (NFB-30) strains maintained their population level upto 6months. The study reveal that talc base formulation can be the best for the maintaining the shelf life of plant growth promoting bacteria.