Biocontrol of wilt-nematode complex infecting gerbera by Bacillus subtilis under protected cultivation

A strong antibiotic producer, Bacillus subtilis strain Bbv 57 (KF718836), has been utilized for the management of wilt-nematode complex (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. gerberae, Meloidogyne incognita) in gerbera under greenhouse conditions in the Department of Floriculture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. The strain strongly inhibited F. oxysporum f. sp. gerberae (KM523669) mycelial growth to an extent of 44.33 and 63.33%, at 10 and 100 mu l, of culture filtrate, respectively. Further, the culture filtrate at 100% concentration exerted lethal effect on nematode eggs (7.00 hatched) and juveniles (87% mortality) compared to control. The analysis of TLC revealed that Bbv 57 showed the cyclic antimicrobial peptides surfactin and iturin that were confirmed by PCR. Strain Bbv 57 was able to produce antifungal and anti-nematicidal activity with reduced wilt incidence (15.33%) and thus holds a great potential for use in the biocontrol of Fusarium wilt-root-knot nematode disease complex in gerbera under greenhouse conditions.