Evaluation of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Trichoderma harzianum isolates in inducing systemic resistance (ISR) in maize against Rhizoctonia solani f. Sp. Sasakii

Abstract

The induction of defence related enzymes leading to systemic resistance when treated with bioagents like P. fluorescens and T. harzianum alone and in combination both as seed treatment and foliar application and challenge inoculated with R. solani f. sp. sasakii the causal agent of banded leaf and sheath blight of maize was studied. On inoculation with R. solani the defence related enzymes like peroxidase and phenylalamine ammonia lyase (PAL) significantly increased in all the treatments at different time intervals when compared to control. Induced systemic resistance through as inferred biochemical analysis revealed the increased activities of the enzymes, viz. peroxidase (PO) and phenylalamine ammonia lyase (PAL) in the treatments of P. fluorescens and T. harzianum application as seed treatment and foliar spray alone and in combinations.