Activation of rice plant growth against <em>Rhizoctonia solani</em> using <em>Pseudomonas fluorescens</em>, <em>Trichoderma</em> and Salicylic Acid

Abstract

From rhizosphere soil of organic farming fields of major vegetable growing tracts of Kerala, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Trichoderma sp. were isolated. The antagonistic activity of isolates was observed against Rhizoctonia solani. Biological control and hormonal inducers represents an interesting strategy against pathogen especially when applied together. Rice plants infected with R. solani were treated with Biocontrol agents along with  arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and/or sprayed with hormonal inducers
(Salicylic acid). Plants were harvested on 14 and 28 days after pathogen  infection growth rate of the plant was measured. Plants treated with biocontrol agents alone showed moderate growth. Likewise VAM alone treated plants showed very good result whereas combination of VAM and salicylic acid did not show considerable growth response. Biocontrol agents Trichoderma and P. fluorescens when applied along with salicylic acid showed appraisable increase in the biometric parameters in rice against R. solani and decrease the percentage of rate of infection compared with control and other treatments.