Growth promoting ability and Bioefficacy of Bacillus subtilis against powdery mildew and early blight of Tomato through Foliar Spray in pot culture studies

Abstract

A pot culture experiment was conducted during kharif 2014 to study the efficacy and growth promoting ability of Bacillus subtilis against powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica) and early blight (Alternaria solani) of tomato. Talk based formulation of B. subtilis was sprayed four times (15, 40, 65 and 90 days after sowing) at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10g/l of water along with Pseudomonas fluorescens and Trichoderma harzianum at 6g/l of water. Treated (Saaf 2.5g/l) and untreated checks were also maintained in the study. The foliar spray of B. subtilis at 10g/l recorded the least per cent disease index of powdery mildew (13.22) and early blight (11.25) and there by recorded highest number of branches (6.90), fruits (16.86), fruit weight per plant (898.76g). Whereas, untreated check was least effective with highest per cent disease index of powdery mildew (54.89) and early blight (32.22) and recorded less number of branches (3.60), fruits (11.99) and fruit weight (615.00g).