Management of lesion nematode, Pratylenchus coffeae in coffee plants treated with native rhizobacteria under sub tropical conditions

Two field trials were conducted during 2012–2015 to assess the enzymatic activity, nematode population and yield in coffee plants treated with various native rhizobacteria which was collected from high elevated hilly regions. The activities of peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) were assayed. Significant increase in the activities of PO, PPO, and PAL enzymes were observed in native isolate, KBR 16 treated coffee plants. The results indicated that the native isolate, KBR 16 is capable of inducing systemic resistance against, Pratylenchus coffeae by accumulation of defence enzymes viz., PO, PPO and PAL and the population density of P. coffeae decreased and yield of coffee bean also increased in plants treated with native strain, KBR 16.