Volume 17, No. 1, 2020
Management Of Phytophthora Capsici ,Causative Fungi Of Foot Rot Of Pepper By Endophytes Isolated From Azadirachta Indica As Promising Biocontrol Agent
Shobha M.S. and Mahadeva Murthy S.
Abstract
Fungicides and organophosphate insecticides are the current recommendations, being widely used to combat Phytophthora and nematodes in black pepper. Even though most effective, they are polluting the environment and residue remains with the product that are hazardous. During the past two decades researchers pursued options like host resistance, organic amendments and biocontrol agents to chalk out an integrated pest management strategy with varied success rates. Some of the prominent recommendations emanated in India are the combined application of potassium phosphonate, neem oil cake and biocontrol agents like Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pochonia chlamydosporia. PGPR improves the plant growth by preventing the proliferation of phytopathogens and thereby support plant growth. Endophytes are beneficial microbes that grow within the plants without showing any visible symptoms. Being ubiquitous in plant tissues, they can be isolated from leaves, stem, roots, seeds, fruits and flowers. The direct effect of endophytes in promoting plant growth are thought to include phytohormone production, asymbiotic nitrogen fixation, solubilization of inorganic phosphate and mineralization of organic phosphate/other nutrients.
Pages: 668-680
Keywords: Azadirachta indica, Phytophthora capsici, Endophytes, PGPR, Biochemical tests, Piper nigrum.