Biocontrol of Chickpea Wilt Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris Race 0 with Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria

Resumen

Objective: To evaluate the antagonisms of the plant growth-promoting bacteria, A46, P61 (Pseudomonas tolaasii), R44 (Bacillus pumilus), BSPS1.1 (Paenibacillus polymyxa), and CPPC55 (Serratia plymuthica) strains to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris race 0 under in vitro and in vivo conditions.

Design/methodology/approach: A growing chamber and greenhouse assays were carried out to evaluate the antagonistic effect of the plant growth-promoting bacteria strains against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris race 0 in Petri dishes and chickpea plants, respectively.

Results: The five bacteria strains significantly reduce the pathogen radial growth, and the strains A46, P61, R44 and CPPC55 reduced the chickpea plant disease symptoms and the affectation of different plant morphological traits such as height, stem width, number of leaves and root volume, plus nitrogen and potassium content.  

Limitations on study/implications: Fusarium Wilt is one of the main causes of chickpea production losses worldwide. The identification and evaluation of promising biocontrol agents are crucial for their inclusion in integrated management programs to the disease.

Findings/conclusions: Chickpea seeds inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria strains A46, P61, R44 and CPPC55 are recommended to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris race 0.