Studies on the effect of interactions of bradyrhizobium pseudomonas and Mycorrhizal fungi with pigeonpea Cajanus cajan on growth promotion and wilt caused by fusarium udum butler

Abstract

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) L. Millsp., is an important legume crop extensively grown for grain legume, green manure and soil amelioration. India has maximum contribution of approximately 63.74% in global pigeonpea production but the productivity is lesser than global productivity because of different biotic and abiotic stresses. Pigeonpea is attacked by a numbers of pathogens among which Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. udum is the most important soil borne pathogen causing wilt disease of pigeonpea. Fusarium wilt of pigeonpea has been reported from many states in our country causing yield loss up to 100%. Uttar Pradesh is an important pigeonpea growing state of our country facing a considerable yield loss due to this disease. Being a soil borne pathogen and its long duration survival in the soil even in the absence of host plants, it is not feasible to control this disease by chemical means. Also due to hazardous effects of chemicals to our ecosystem, it is very important to select efficient and eco-friendly biocontrol agents for effective management of this disease. Bradyrhizobium, Pseudomonas and mycorrhizal fungi are important biocontrol agents having major roles in plant growth promotion, survival and plant protection through induction of systemic resistance. In consortium mode these microbes may interact synergistically providing the plant a powerful capacity to regulate the immune response generated. newline