Department of Plant Pathology, Directorate of Rice Research (JCAR), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, 500 030, Andhra Pradesh E-mail: lahags@yahoo.co.in
Nine selected bacteria were tested for their antagonistic activity against Fusarium moniliforme, causing bakanae disease of rice. The bacteria significantly suppressed the growth of the fungus in dual culture. The bacteria produced varying amounts of lytic enzymes (chitinase and b-l-3-glucanase), siderophores, salicylic acid and hydrogen cyanide. In greenhouse experiments, the antagonist B-44 was most effective in reducing the bakanae disease infected seedlings followed by PF-9 and PF-13.
Antagonistic bacteria, Bakanae disease, Fusarium moniliforme, rice
