Medicinal plants rhizosphere exploration for the presence of potential biocontrol fungi

During the present study, different fungi including Paecilomyces sp. from the rhizosphere of two medicinal plants i.e. Aloe vera (Ghee kuwar) and Punica granatum (Pomegranate) were isolated. For further biocontrol studies, Paecilomyces sp. which produced the highest (9 mm) and the lowest (2.7 mm) inhibition zone against Fusarium solani and Helminthosporium sp, respectively in dual culture tests was used. In screen house study the application of conidial concentration of Paecilomyces sp. against Fusarium wilt of chilli significantly reduced the disease. The highest disease reduction (90.1%) was recorded in the treatment when the chilli seedling roots were prior dipped in the conidial concentration of (1×10 4 conidia ml -1 ) of Paecilomyces sp. Application of Paecilomyces sp. also positively affected the yield and the biomass i.e. fresh and dry shoot weight, fresh and dry root weight and plant height of chilli plants.