1Department of Industrial Microbiology, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj-211007, Uttar Pradesh
2Council of Science and Technology, U P Vigyan Bhawan, 9 Nabiullah Road, Suraj Kund Park, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
3Centre for Geospatial Technologies, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
*Corresponding author: ebenezer.jeyakumar@shiats.edu.in
Online published on 30 September, 2019.
Samples (n=1000) each of wilt affected Pigeon pea were studied for the presence of fungal pathogens with special reference to Fusarium spp. A significantly higher incidence of Fusarium spp. corresponding to 69.11% Pigeon pea (P<0.001) was recorded. Further, the pathogen showed a significantly higher occurrence in root samples of both crops making them to be more susceptible to infection (P<0.001). The Fusarium spp. identified as per standard protocols were Fusarium udum (91.4%) followed byFusarium oxysporum (5.21%), Fusarium solani (2.04%), Fusarium moniliforme (0.7%) and Fusarium poe (0.55%). Fusarium isolates identified by molecular methods showed presence of a single amplicon of 580bp. Pathogenicity assay of Fusarium isolates on Pigeon pea exhibited an average disease incidence of 82.08% with 90% isolates being highly virulent. Bacterial isolates exhibiting PGPR characteristics were identified belonging to the genus Bacillus and Pseudomonas. Majority of PGPR isolates identified promoted growth of Pigeon pea seedlings. Hence a positive approach in the control and management of Fusarium wilt in Pigeon pea can be obtained with these newly identified PGPR strains.
Wilt, Fusarium, pigeon pea, Chickpea, biocontrol, management, PGPR
