In vitro Biocontrol of Phomopsis azadirachtae by Andrographis paniculata Rhizobacteria

Sheethal Prabhakar¹ and Girish Krishna^1,2*

¹Department of Microbiology, Maharani’s Science College for Women (Autonomous), JLB Road, Mysuru, Karnataka, India

²Department of Microbiology, Government College for Women (Autonomous), Mandya, Karnataka, India.

Corresponding Author E-mail:girishk77@yahoo.com

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CARJ.12.3.39

Abstract:

The Phomopsis azadirachtae Devaki, Bhat, and Sateesh is a fungal phytopathogen that incites die-back disease on neem. Management of this disease has become very important presently due to its fast spread. Though chemical control is possible, negative aspects of chemicals on ecosystem is making alternative methods a priority. Use of biopesticides mainly consisting of microorganisms is gaining importance as an alternative for synthetic fungicides. Rhizosphere of medicinal plants is a good source for antagonistic bacteria. In this study bacteria were isolated from rhizosphere of Andrographis paniculata, a medicinal plant. They were initially tested for antifungal potential against P. azadirachtae using dual culture approach. Three rhizobacteria that substantially inhibited fungal growth were characterized using standard biochemical tests. Later by employing the agar well diffusion method, ethyl acetate extracts of the three chosen bacterial culture filtrate were screened for P. azadirachtae growth inhibition. All three rhizobacteria substantially prevented the P. azadirachtae growth and could be good candidates for the development of a biocontrol strategy to manage P. azadirachtae, but this demands further research.

Keywords:

Andrographis paniculata; Biocontrol; Die-back; Phomopsis azadirachtae; Rhizobacteria

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