ISSN: 0973-7510
E-ISSN: 2581-690X
A survey was conducted to assess the incidence of wilt of Gerbera caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. gerberae (FOG) in Nilgiris and Salem districts of Tamil Nadu during 2013-2014. The wilt incidence ranged from 10.11% to 19.81% in nine varieties Donavan, Valletta, Alamo, Bellwater, Avimaria, Blessing, Atletico, Farida and Dalma. 26 isolates were screened for the management of disease, of which, Ochrobactrum spp. (BSD5), B. subtilis (PSB5) and B. megaterium (BmTNAU1) isolates showed highest antagonistic activity against FOG. 9 isolates of Bacillus spp. were studied for the presence of biosynthetic genes of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The effective biocontrol agents were applied through root dipping and soil drenching @ 5ml/L either individually or in consortia. Seedling dip and soil drenching @ 0.5% with PSB5+BSD5+BmTNAU1 resulted in reduced disease incidence, enhanced plant height, root length and flower yield of Gerbera.
GC-MS, Fusarium, Formulations, Gerbera, Bacillus spp.
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