Unveiling Broad-Spectrum Microbial Antagonists for Sustainable Management of Seed-borne Diseases of Lentil

Atul Kumar

doi:10.56093/ijas.v96i8.174903

Authors

Atul Kumar Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v96i8.174903

Abstract

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) productivity is significantly affected by seed-borne pathogens such as Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lentis, Rhizoctonia solani, and Botrytis cinerea. The use of indigenous rhizospheric microbes as broad-spectrum biocontrol agents offers a sustainable strategy for disease management. In the current study, 40 fungi and 30 bacteria were isolated from lentil rhizosphere soil and screened for antagonist activity against above mentioned pathogens employing a dual culture assay and biochemical traits. Among them, three fungal (F11, F16, F27) and two bacterial (B2, B13) isolates exhibited the strong and consistent inhibition of all pathogens. Morphological and cultural characterization revealed typical features of potential antagonists, which were validated by molecular identification. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequencing identified the fungal isolates as Trichoderma harzianum (F11), Trichoderma asperellum (F16), and Talaromyces flavus (F27), whereas the bacterial isolates were identified through 16S rDNA sequencing as Pseudomonas fluorescens (B2) and Bacillus subtilis (B13). Phylogenetic analysis validated their taxonomic affiliation. Furthermore, the isolates exhibited multiple biocontrol and plant growth-promoting traits, including hydrolytic enzymes, siderophores, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), ammonia, phosphate solubilization, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The broad-spectrum antagonistic activity highlights their potential as promising candidates for development into biocontrol formulations. These findings offer a strong foundation for further evaluation of these microbial agents under greenhouse and field conditions for integrated management of lentil diseases.

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Author Biography

Atul Kumar, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi

Principal Scientist(Seed Technology),
M.Sc, Ph.D (IARI Plant Pathology), FPSI
Division of Seed Science & Technology,
IARI, NEW DELHI -12

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