Biocontrol Potential of Bacterial Isolates Against Soil Borne Phytopathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, Causal Agent of Stem Rot in Indian Mustard

Stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, poses a serious threat to Brassica juncea (Indian mustard), leading to significant yield losses. The non-availability of genetic resources offering resistance, necessitates the use of fungicides as a method of control. Hence, it becomes imperative to explore effective and eco-friendly biocontrol methods. In this context, we screened fifty-five bacterial isolates, finding Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia proteamaculans with the potential to inhibit mycelial growth of S. sclerotiorum by 42.5% and 44.5%, respectively. Further, the colonization and endophytic nature of both isolates were confirmed by the presence of rod-shaped structures in the roots of ten-day-old seedlings of bacterial treated B. juncea through scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies. In conclusion, our study highlights the biocontrol potential of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia proteamaculans against stem rot in Indian mustard. Future prospects include elucidating their mechanisms of action, optimizing application methods, and scaling up production for field use.