Bacillus subtilis. A bioagent in nematode management

Scientific Study from the year 2014 in the subject Biology - Micro- and Molecular Biology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, language: English, abstract: Root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, is an important nematode parasite of tuberose. A study was undertaken to assess the evaluation of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) against Meloidogyne incognita infestation on tuberose in vitro, pot culture and field conditions.§Tuberose fields were surveyed for the nematode incidence in different districts of Tamil Nadu. Among the nematodes associated with the crop M. incognita caused severe damage to crop.§Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria were isolated from soil samples collected from field and subcultured for further studies. The isolates were tested for their efficacy for plant growth promotion by roll towel and pot culture studies with rice plants. Among them, three isolates, viz. BT3, BT8 and BT21 were found to be effective in increasing the plant growth promotion when compared to other isolates.§Biochemical characterization of the isolates revealed that the cultures were found to be the group of Bacillus spp. Liquid formulation were prepared for the three isolates with nutrient amendments, viz. glycerol (10 Mm), trehalose (5 mM) and the stickers, viz. starch (2%) and PVP (2%) and the antagonistic effect of different Bacillus isolates were studied against M. incognita in vitro. Effect of liquid formulation of the Bacillus strains were tested against M. incognita under greenhouse and field condition. Histopathological studies were carried out for the B. subtilis treated and untreated plants.