Efficacy of buffalo dung inhabiting bacteria in biocontrol of vascular
wilt and gummosis for luxuriant growth of Foeniculum vulgare Mill.
Abstract
In present research, three plant growth-promoting (PGP) non-pathogenic
bacterial strains Proteus mirabilis BUFF12, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa BUFF14 and Enterobacter xiangfangensis BUFF38
inhabiting buffalo dung identified and studied for antifungal activity.
Among three, P. mirabilis showed broad spectrum antifungal activity
against Fusarium oxysporum (62.7%) and Rhizoctonia solani
(71.7%). FTIR spectral analysis of crude ethyl acetate extract of P.
mirabilis showed the presence of O-H, N-H, O=C=O, C=O, C=N, CH2, C-O,
C-H, PO2-, and C-C functional groups. GCMS spectral analysis displayed
the presence of eleven bioactive metabolites and the major compounds
were 2-cyclopenten1-one, 3-(acetyloxy) (23.87%) followed by
Glutarimide, N-(4-ethylphenyl)- (19.34%); 4-methyl-2-oxopentanenitrile
(14.49%); 2,3-Cyclododecenopyridine (13.40%). The purified compounds
also established multifarious PGP activity in test crop plants during
pot study for disease management. 2-cyclopenten-1-one,3-(acetyloxy)
recorded significant inhibitory activity against F. oxysporum
(62.7%), followed by R. solani (71.7%). Pot trial studies with
this strain significantly reduced disease severity in fennel plants
challenged with F. oxysporum and R. solani infection. Our
findings provide new insights into the antifungal activity of P.
mirabilis, and suggest this species may a promising candidate as a
biocontrol agent to confer resistance to gummosis and foot rot and other
phytopathogens in fennel crop.