Bacillus megaterium from tea rhizosphere promotes growth and induces systemic resistance in tea against Sclerotium rolfsii

Authors

  • A.P. CHAKRABORTY, B.N. CHAKRABORTY and U. CHAKRABORTY*

Keywords:

Bacillus megaterium, chitinase, growth promotion, ISR, immunofluorescence, Sclerotium rolfsii

Abstract

The objectives of the study was to determine how Bacillus megaterium, isolated from tea rhizosphere promotes the growth of tea plants as plant growth promoter, affects sclerotial blight disease and induces systemic resistance in tea plants. Bacillus megaterium, promoted growth of 5 varieties of tea, as evidenced by increase in height, emergence of new leaves, branches and increase in leaf numbers both in potted conditions and in the field. The bacterium was antagonistic to a number of fungal pathogens in vitro and reduced sclerotial blight of tea caused by Sclerotium rolfsii. Significant increases in phenolics along with increase in isomers of catechins as well as peroxidase, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, were observed in tea plants on application of B. megaterium alone or following challenge inoculation with S. rolfsii. Survival of B. megaterium in soil was determined by ELISA and Dot-Blot using PAb raised against the bacterium. Enhanced expression of chitinase in B. megaterium treated leaves was confirmed by Western Blot and Dot Blot using PAb raised against chitinase. Besides, immunolocalization of chitinase in tea leaves was also done using the chitinase PAb. B. megaterium has been found to be a good plant growth promoter with the ability to increase growth of tea plants along with a reduction of sclerotial blight disease which acts both by direct and indirect mechanisms in the host.

Downloads

Issue

Vol. 68 No. 3 (2015): Indian Phytopathology

Section

Research Articles

License

For Authors

As soon as an article is accepted for publication, authors are requested to assign copyright of the article (or to grant exclusive publication and dissemination rights) to the publisher (Indian Phytopathlogical Society). This will ensure the widest possible protection and dissemination of information.

For Readers

While the advice and information in this journal is believed to be true and accurate at the date of its publication, the authors, the editors, nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein.

All articles published in this journal are protected by copyright, which covers the exclusive rights to reproduce and distribute the article (e.g., as offprints), as well as all translation rights. No material published in this journal may be reproduced photographically or stored on microfilm, in electronic data bases, on video disks, etc., without first obtaining written permission from the publisher. The use of general descriptive names, trade names, trademarks, etc. in this publication, even if not specifically identified, implies that these names are protected by the relevant laws and regulations.

How to Cite

U. CHAKRABORTY*, A. C. B. C. and. (2015). Bacillus megaterium from tea rhizosphere promotes growth and induces systemic resistance in tea against Sclerotium rolfsii. Indian Phytopathology, 68(3), 237-247. http://epubs.icar.org.in/ejournal/index.php/IPPJ/article/view/49833