Endophytes associated with cereal crops and its biocontrol potential against phytopathogen Pythium Ultimum

Abstract

Food crisis scenarios around the world stir up concern for exploitation of beneficial endophytes for application in the field of agriculture. Endophytes were isolated from healthy maize and rice plants and screen for beneficial properties like presence of growth hormone, defence enzymes, antagonism activities against Pythium ultimum, Sclerotium oryzae, Pyricularia oryzae and Rhizoctonia solani. Green house experiment using Acremonium sp. and Penicillium simplicissimum recorded lowest disease incidence of 9% for consortium and 16% for control. Consortium-treated plants observed the highest yield with 1000 grain weight of 25.15g, Acremonium sp. treated plant yielded 24.76g and 19g for control. The present study ensures the prospect of the competent endophytic inoculums as potent organic biocontrol agents against the hazardous chemical agents used. In our study, fungal endophyte consortium of Acremonium sp. and Penicillium simplicissimum introduced rice plants were able to significantly increase the grain yield and control the disease associated with Pythium ultimum.