Effect of Indigenous Strains of Fluorescent Pseudomonas Sp. on Growth of Apple Plants in Replant Site of Himachal Pradesh

Pankaj Prakash Verma; Shweta Sharma; Mohinder Kaur

Volume : III, Issue : VII, July - 2014

Effect of Indigenous Strains of Fluorescent Pseudomonas Sp. on Growth of Apple Plants in Replant Site of Himachal Pradesh

Pankaj Prakash Verma, Shweta Sharma, Mohinder Kaur

Abstract :

Apple replant disease is a complex syndrome causing necrotic lesions on feeder roots, stunted tree growth and reduced cumulative yields. Fluorescent Pseudomonas sp. is most promising group of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) that are involved in plant growth enhancement and plant disease control. The ten fluorescent Pseudomonas sp. were isolated from apple rhizosphere from Shimla Distt. (HP) India. These isolates were screened out for plant growth promoting activities in vitro such as antifungal activity against different plant pathogens, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, proteolytic activity, HCN and ammonia production. Out of ten isolates, two (An–2–nali and Pn–2–Kho) were selected on the basis of their high production of plant growth promoting activities and were genotypically characterized by 16S rRNA method. The strains were successfully used to study their effect on apple plants planted in replant area of Deola (Distt. Shimla). The results showed a significant increase in various plant, soil parameters and the disease incidence has also been reduced after the cyclic treatment of these strains. The aim of the study was to select more efficient PGPR strain of fluorescent Pseudomonas sp. which can be used for biofertilizer development for management of apple replant problem.