Biological control of downy mildew of maize caused by Peronosclerospora sorghi under environmentally controlled conditions
Journal Title: Journal of Applied and Natural Science - Year 2016, Vol 8, Issue 1
Abstract
Downy mildew disease, caused by Peronosclerospora sorghi, is one of the most serious diseases of maize. The disease is currently managed by seed treatment with metalaxyl fungicides. However, problems regarding environmental pollution resulting from the use of fungicides and development of fungicide resistance within populations of P. sorghi are of increasing concern. Assuming that biological control by means of using antagonistic microorganisms may be an alternative for the management of this disease, the efficacy of biocontrol agents viz., Bacillus subtilis G1, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B2, Brevibacillus brevis 57 and Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf1 for the management of downy mildew of maize and for promoting plant growth was evaluated. The results indicated that seed treatment with B. subtilis G1 and B. amyloliquefaciens B2 significantly (P = 0.05) increased the germination percentage and seedling vigour of maize as assessed by roll towel method. Among them, B. subtilis G1 was the most effective and recorded 9% and 31% increases in germination percentage and seedling vigour of maize respectively, as compared to the control. A talc- based powder formulation of B. subtilis G1 when applied through seed at the rate of 10 g/kg reduced the downy mildew incidence up to 54% under greenhouse conditions. Results of this study suggest that B. subtilis G1 is a promising bioagent for the management of downy mildew of maize and for promoting plant growth. This antagonist could be further exploited for commercial scale up for ecofriendly management of downy mildew of maize under localized climatic conditions.
Authors and Affiliations
Y. Sireesha, R. Velazhahan
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP284419
- DOI -
- Views 87
- Downloads 0
Energetics of pupal-adult metamorphosis in the silkworm, Bombyx mori : An analysis of transdeamination parameters in the fat body and haemolymph
Transdeamination seems to be an important alternative energy-intensive gluconeogenesis mechanism that generates glucose from non-carbohydrate sources during pupal-adult metamorphosis in Bombyx mori. Studies on four trans...
Moisture stress induced changes in metabolites and cellular functions in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes
The present investigation was aimed to study influence of moisture stress in in vitro identified tolerant (GL28151, RSG963, PDG3) and sensitive (GL22044, GNG1861, PBG1) chickpea genotypes under field conditions. Moisture...
Design and development of FRP mobile fish vending trolley for hygienic fish marketing
A mobile fish vending trolley has been designed and developed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - All India Coordinated Research Project on Plasticulture Engineering and Technology (AICRP on PET) centre a...
Phytochemical screening and evaluation of anti-microbial and anti-oxidant activity of Elettaria cardamom (Cardamom)
The present study deals with the phytochemical screening and evaluation of antibacterial and antioxidant activities from the crude methanol extract of the seeds of cardamom, Elettaria cardamom. Crude methanol extract was...
Culture and physiological variability in Rhizoctonia solani, responsible for foliar and lesions on aerial part of soybean
Foliar blight of soybean is one of the major fungal diseases. Rhizoctonia solani isolated from soybean growing in tarai regions of Uttarakhand. Six isolates of R. solani has been characterized on the basis of cultural an...