Lab and Field Level Potential of Endophytic Bacteria in Managing the Dry Root Rot Disease in Black Gram Incited by Rhizoctonia bataticola (Taubenh) Butler

Background: The plant growth promotion and efficacy against phytopathogens by the endophytic bacteria are being focused now due to their ecofriendly nature. Methods: Endophytic bacteria (24 nos) isolated from the roots, stems and leaves of black gram plants collected from different locations were tested for their potential to inhibit the growth of R. bataticola under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Result: The leaf endophyte BLE 4 exhibited maximum inhibition (79.6%) of R. bataticola followed by BSE 4 (77.4%), BSE 7 (77.0%) and BLE 1 (74.0%). Among these 4 isolates tested as seed treatment and soil application, there was significant increase in dry weight (7.1 g), plant height (37.7 cm), number of branches (13.2) and number of pods (26.2) in BLE 4 treated plots. Whereas, the incidence of dry root rot and yield were insignificant. In the screening study of isolates for their phosphate solubilization potential, protease activity, siderophore and HCN production, no single isolate possessed all the properties, but siderophore production, protease activity and phosphate solubilization were found in BSE 4, BRE 3, BRE 5 and BRE 10 isolates.