Lytic enzymes induced by Pseudomonas fluorescens and other biocontrol organisms mediate defence against the anthracnose pathogen in mango.
Vivekananthan R., Ravi M., Ramanathan A., Samiyappan R.
Author Affiliation: Centre for Plant Protection Studies, Department of Plant Pathology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641 003, India.
World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology 20 : 235-244
Abstract : Talc-based bioformulations containing cells of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were evaluated for their potential to attack the mango (Mangifera indica L.) anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz. under endemic conditions. The preharvest aerial spray was given at fortnightly and monthly intervals. The plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens (FP7) amended with chitin sprayed at fortnightly intervals gave the maximum induction of flowering, a yield attribute in the preharvest stage, consequently reduced latent symptoms were recorded at the postharvest stage. An enormous induction of the defence-mediating lytic enzymes chitinase and ?-1,3-glucanase was recorded in colorimetric assay and the expression of discrete bands in native PAGE analysis after FP7+ chitin treatment. The enhanced expression of defence-mediating enzymes may collectively contribute to suppress the anthracnose pathogen, leading to improved yield attributes.