PGPR induced systemic resistance in tomato plants against root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita

Abstract

The present study was aimed to find out the efficacy of Pseudomonas spp. and Bacillus spp. against root knot nematode, M. incognita in tomato plants under field condition. Induced activity of the defense enzymes were observed in the plants treated with the PGPR. Increased activity of the defense enzymes, viz., PO, PPO, PAL and phenolic compounds observed during the study revealed the induced systemic resistant activity of the bioagents against the nematode infestation. Higher amount of accumulation of these defense related compounds in the PGPR treated plants rendered protection against the nematodes by decreasing the level of infestation of the nematodes in the plants.