Biocontrol efficiency of native mycorrhizal isolates in ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L.)

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L.) is an angiospermic medicinal herb, well recognized for the immense therapeutic potential of its roots containing several withanolides. W. Somnifera, however is susceptible for many plant pathogens like Ralstonia, Phytophthora, Fusarium and many others. The present investigation on ashwagandha was undertaken to screen the efficacy of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi against different diseases under mesh house conditions. The results indicated that the plants affected with Ralstonia and Phytophthora showed root rots and wilting symptoms respectively, at different incubation intervals. Among all the isolates AM-G-4, AM-G-5b, AM-G-9a, AM-B-1 and AM-B-10a showed inhibitory action against both Ralstonia and Phytophthora diseases.