Enhanced Plant Resistance Against Wilt Disease in Cumin Using Microbial Blends

Jenn Hoskins
19th July, 2024

Enhanced Plant Resistance Against Wilt Disease in Cumin Using Microbial Blends

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers from ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute developed a microbial consortium to manage Fusarium wilt in cumin
  • The consortium, consisting of four microbes, provided 76.35% disease control in pot experiments
  • The consortium significantly improved plant growth, increasing chlorophyll, carotenoid content, plant height, dry weight, and seed yield
  • Field trials confirmed the consortium's effectiveness, showing a 72.2% disease control rate and significant improvements in plant growth and yield
Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cumini (Foc), is a significant threat to cumin crops, leading to substantial yield losses. To address this, researchers from the ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute conducted a study to develop an efficient microbial consortium for managing Fusarium wilt in cumin[1]. The study involved screening 601 rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria and fungi for their antagonistic activity against Foc. From this extensive screening, ten bacteria and ten fungi were selected based on their growth promotion traits and ability to withstand abiotic stress. The selected microbes were further evaluated in a pot experiment to assess their bioefficacy in controlling Fusarium wilt and promoting plant growth. The most promising isolates identified were Trichoderma atrobruneum 15F, Pseudomonas sp. 2B, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 9B, and Bacillus velezensis 32B. The results revealed that a consortium of these four microbes provided the highest disease control (76.35%) in the pot experiment. This consortium significantly enhanced the production of secondary metabolites and the activation of antioxidant-defense enzymes compared to individual strains. The effectiveness of microbial consortia in plant disease management and growth promotion is supported by previous studies. For instance, a consortium of Streptomyces strains was shown to reduce Fusarium wilt disease incidence in chickpea and enhance plant growth parameters such as nodule number, leaf area, and grain yield[2]. Similarly, Pseudomonas and Bacillus species have been reported to possess biocontrol properties and promote plant growth by producing biocatalysts and regulating defense genes[3]. In the current study, the four-microbe consortium also demonstrated a significant reduction in electrolyte leakage, a common indicator of cell membrane damage due to pathogen attack. This reduction was more pronounced compared to treatments with individual strains and the positive control. Additionally, the consortium treatment led to substantial increases in chlorophyll (~2.74-fold), carotenoid content (~2.14-fold), plant height (~1.8-fold), dry weight (~1.96-fold), and seed yield (~19-fold) compared to the positive control in the pot experiment. Field trials further validated the efficacy of the microbial consortium, showing a 72.2% disease control rate over the positive control. The consortium-treated plants exhibited significant improvements in plant growth, biomass, yield, and yield attributes compared to both positive and negative controls. These findings align with earlier research where microbial consortia were found to enhance plant growth and yield under field conditions[2][4]. The study's approach of utilizing a microbial consortium rather than individual strains is crucial, as it leverages the synergistic effects of multiple microbes. This strategy not only enhances disease control but also promotes overall plant health and productivity. The use of consortia has been shown to be more effective in various studies, highlighting the importance of microbial diversity in sustainable agriculture[4][5]. In conclusion, the research conducted by the ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute demonstrates the potential of a well-formulated microbial consortium in managing Fusarium wilt and promoting the growth of cumin plants. By integrating findings from previous studies and focusing on the synergistic effects of multiple microbes, this study provides a promising solution for sustainable disease management and improved crop productivity.

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References

Main Study

1) Formulations of synergistic microbial consortia for enhanced systemic resistance against Fusarium wilt in cumin.

Published 18th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10123-024-00553-3

Related Studies

2) Streptomyces consortia-mediated plant defense against Fusarium wilt and plant growth-promotion in chickpea.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2021.104961

3) Characterization and assessment of two biocontrol bacteria against Pseudomonas syringae wilt in Solanum lycopersicum and its genetic responses.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2017.09.003

4) Implication of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria of Bacillus spp. as biocontrol agents against wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. in Vicia faba L.

https://doi.org/10.1515/bmc-2021-0020

5) In vitro antagonistic activity, plant growth promoting traits and phylogenetic affiliation of rhizobacteria associated with wild plants grown in arid soil.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2014.00651


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