Screening of antagonistic potential and plant growth promotion activities of Trichoderma spp. and fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. isolates against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum causing stem rot of French bean

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum have been a major plant pathogen with wide host range in agriculture. Annually, 60% crop losses due to this pathogen have been reported worldwide. Biological management have been sought to be an alternative method for controlling the disease. Trichoderma and Pseudomonas are well known for their biocontrol and plant growth promotion activities. Isolation was done from nearby and within Varanasi. Among all isolates 20 isolates of Trichoderma and 11 isolates of fluorescent Pseudomonas were selected on the basis of dual culture assay against S. sclerotiorum. They were further characterised on the basis of IAA, siderophore, phosphate solubilization, effect of volatile and crude extract, HCN production, ammonia production, chitinase and beta 1, 3-glucanase enzymatic assay. Among the Trichoderma isolates, maximum plant growth promotion activity and mycolytic enzyme activity was observed by isolate T9: Among fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates the best plant promotion activity as well efficient antagonistic activity was observed isolate Pfl1.