Induction of systemic resistance in bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.) mediated through Bacillus subtilis IIHR BS-2 against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita

Induction of systemic resistance by Bacillus subtilis IIHR Bs-2 established through the activities of defense enzymes viz., catalase, peroxidase (PO), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) were intensively studied against root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum Sendt) seedlings under in vivo. It showed higher accumulation of defense enzymes viz., PAL, catalase and PO during early stages (10–30 days) of bell pepper treated with B. subtilis IIHR Bs-2 challenged with M. incognita inoculation. The highest enzyme activity was recorded as 136.14, 29.58, 10.72mmol>@$⁻¹mg⁻¹of proteinfor PAL, catalaseandPO, respectivelyat 30 daysafter nematodeinoculation. In pot culture experiments, B. subtilis IIHR Bs-2 challenged with M. incognita inoculation treatment effectively colonized the bell pepper roots and soil (1.8 x 10⁴ cfug⁻¹ of root and 1.4 x 10⁴ cfu g¹ of soil) and caused significant reduction in nematode population (63.8% in root and 44.14% in soil) together with higher yield (22.05%) compared to untreated control.