Biological Control of Fusarium Oxysporum and Aspergillus Sp. By Pseudomonas Fluorescens Isolated From Wheat Rhizosphere Soil Of Kashmir.

Abstract

As Pseudomonas fluorescens possess a variety of promising properties which make it a better biocontrol agent. In this current study wheat rhizosphere soil collected from different wheat growing regions of Kashmir valley were evaluated for presence of Pseudomonas fluorescens using King’s B medium. Based on colony morphology, siderophore production and biochemical tests, out of 136 rhizosphere soil samples, only 52 isolates were identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens. Out of 52, only 7 isolates viz., SKWI, BG6, BG27, Bandi6, Bandi 11, Bandi24 and Bandi63 belonging to different regions showed remarkable antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus species with different levels of inhibition pattern. Interestingly, Bandi6 and Bandi11 collected from Bandipora region of Kashmir valley demonstrated highest antifungal activity against Fusarium species with 29mm and 28mm zone of inhibition respectively. Similarly, BG6 isolate collected from Budgam region of Kashmir valley showed highest zone of inhibition (20mm) against Aspergillus species. In this study, our investigations clearly indicate that isolates collected from this region of India can be better exploited to be used as potential biocontrol agents in agriculture system