Biotization of Pseudomonas fluorescens isolates in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne arenaria

Pseudomonas fluorescens isolates viz, Pf₁, PfCBE, PfPOL and PfBSR were found to protect the groundnut from root knot nematode, Meloidogyne arenaria. Induction of peroxidase by Pseudomonas fluorescens isolates against challenge inoculation with M arenaria in groundnut was studied. The plant growth was significantly higher in all treatments with the bacterium. The isolate Pfl performed significantly superior to the other three isolates. The bacterial treatments also reduced the level of infestation by nematode. Higher level of peroxidase activity in bacterized groundnut inoculated with nematodes was observed. Isoform analysis revealed the induction of unique PO1 isoform and higher level of PO2 isoform in bacterized groundnut inoculated with nematodes. The nematode disease suppression ability of the bacterial isolates were related to its root colonizing ability.