Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore -54590, Pakistan.
*E-mail: meher_waheed@yahoo.com
Online published on 8 May, 2013.
Present study was aimed to investigate the effect of two strains of bacillus viz Bacillus fortis 162 and Bacillus subtilus 174 for induction of systemic resistance in tomato against Fusarium wilt disease was studies in lab conditions. For this purpose roots of tomato seedlings were primed with bacillus strain and plants were challenged with pathogen. Bio control potential of test strains of bacillus was studied along with quantification of total phenolic compounds and defense related proteins viz Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO), Phenyl Ammonia Lyase (PAL) and Peroxidase (PO) was performed by Calometric methods. B. subtilus 174 showed great bio control potential and significant reduction in disease severity. Higher levels of phenolic compounds, PPO, PAL and Po activities were observed in case of B. subtilus 174 in shoots of tomato plants as compared to B. fortis 162. This bacterial strain can be used as a bio control agent for sustainable management of Fusarium wilt of tomato.
Fusarium wilt, Bacillus fortis, Bacillus subtilus, Polyphenol Oxidase, Phenyl Amonia Lyase, Peroxidase
