Biocontrolof fusarium wilt disease of cucumber (cucumis sativusl.) in greenhouse and field

The bacteria present around the rhizosphere, suppress diseases and promotes plant growth are known as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). PGPR are ecofriendly, stimulate the plant growth factors and reduce the incidence of crop diseases as well as supply the nutrientsfor growth of plants. 13 PGPRstrains, 9 were isolated from cucurbit rhizosphere from fields, three from MTCCassessedfor positive rapid screening bioassay were used for the seed priming and further tests. The potting mixture was sterilized for 1h at 1210C at 15-18 psi for two consecutive days before use. Both the soil samples were checked for their micronutrient content, conductivity, water holding capacity and also important macronutrients. The soil samples were loamy with good water holding capacity, with adequatemacronutrients(NPK) and micronutrients. In the field tests and greenhouse, the treatedseeds of Cucumis sativuswere compared for their vine length, node number of first female flower, fruits number/ plant,fruit weight in grams, diameter of the fruit in centimeter, total yield / 6 fruits in gram and growth conditions to the control. In 13 PGPR strains tested only BacillusamyloliquefaciensMIC6 and PseudomonasaeruginosaMTCC2581 showed maximum germination and yieldmanages Fusariumwilt both in greenhouse as well as in field conditions