Elevation of plant growth parameters in two solanaceous crops with the application of endophytic fungus

Abstract

In the present study VBEF2, an endophytic fungal strain of Aspergillus isolated from the leaf of Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth. showed excellent plant growth promoting (PGP) attributed both in-vitro and in-vivo conditions. It was found to possess good phosphate solubilizing and IAA producing ability as it produced soluble phosphate and IAA upto 418.33 pg ml-1 and 19.8 pg ml-1, respectively in the seven days kinetic studies. It also exhibited siderophore producing attribute with remarkable antifungal activities against potential plant pathogens Fusarium oxysporum, Colletotrichum acutatum and Penicillium digitatum. It showed excellent survivability in alluvial soil in laboratory condition at a temperature range of 28°C to 50°C. The strain when subjected to field application enhanced various growth and yield parameters significantly (p < 0.05) in Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and Solanum melongena (brinjal).