Harnessing the Antifungal Potential of Seed Bacteriome against Major Seed and Soil-borne Pathogens in Blackgram

Blackgram is an important pulse crop in India. One of the major constraints on blackgram production is the attack of pathogens, which leads to yield loss. Nowadays, with the understanding of harmful effects of chemical fungicides, biocontrol methods are gaining more importance. One such method is biopriming with endophytes to control pathogens and enhance yield. In the present study, the endophytes of blackgram seeds was explored and tested for its biocontrol potential against major seed- and soil-borne pathogens and growth promotion in blackgram. A total of 14 bacterial endophytic isolates were obtained and screened against Macropomina phaseolina and Fusarium oxysporum. Among them, BSE5 isolate was proven to be more efficient in inhibiting the mycelial growth of M. phaseolina and F. oxysporum, with per cent inhibition of 22.5 and 50.6, respectively, following BSE9. Both the isolates showed improved plant growth parameters like germination percentage, root length, shoot length, dry matter production and vigour index. Molecular characterisation of BSE5 and BSE9 confirmed that the isolates are Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus xiamenensis.