In vitro antagonistic activity of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacterial (PGPR) isolates against mulberry charcoal rot pathogen, Macrophomina phaseolina

Abstract

The charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina is the most virulent soil-borne disease in mulberry.
Due to the issues of pollution, disparity in soil ecosystem along with possible risks to silkworms, the natural
control method known as a promising technique for the management of root diseases. The objective of this
study was to evaluate the antifungal efficacy of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) isolates
against M. phaseolina. The charcoal rot causing pathogen, M. phaseolina was isolated from infected
mulberry roots and its morphological and microscopical characters were observed. A total of 10 PGPR isolates
were purified from healthy mulberry rhizosphere soil and identified isolates were belonging to the genera of
Bacillus. The antifungal activity showed that BSSY9 isolate showed maximum growth inhibition of 58.5 %
followed by BSKP3 isolate with 54.07%. Hence, this isolates could be useful in developing an eco-friendly
root rot management practices.