Antagonistic effect of Pseudomonas spp. isolated from rhizospheric soil of Picrorhiza kurrooa (kutki) against phytopathogenic fungi

Plant protection is an important area which needs attention since most of the hazardous substance in the form of chemical are added into the agricultural system. Pseudomonas spp. possesses a variety of promising properties which make it better Biocontrol agent. The objectives of the present study were to isolate Pseudomonas spp. from the rhizospheric soil of a medicinal herb Picrorhiza kurrooa and their antagonistic activity against phytopathogens. Pseudomonas spp. on co inoculation with fungal pathogens inhibits the growth of all phytopathogens as compared to control. Maximum inhibition was observed against Rhizoctonia solani (63.6%) followed by Aspergillus ochraceus (63%) and Aspergillus candidus (45.4%). Pseudomonas isolate was also investigated for the effect of volatile compound and found that it inhibits the growth of all tested fungi and maximum inhibition was found against Rhizoctonia solani as compared to other plant pathogens in the present study. Our results, revealed the potentiality of Pseudomonas spp. as one of the most suitable bio-control agent in suppressing the phytopathogenic fungi.