ASSESSMENT OF INDUCED SYSTEMIC RESISTANCE THROUGH ANTAGONISTIC RHIZOBACTERIAL POTENTIAL WITH SALICYLIC ACID AGAINST KARNAL BUNT OF WHEAT

Abstract

Wheat is the staple food crop all over the world. Tilletia indica causing Karnal bunt of wheat now considered alarming factor due to considerable losses in terms of crop yield. Chemical control of Karnal bunt is yet very difficult so there was need of alternate control especially biological control. Detailed survey was done for the collection of infected grains and the soil for pathogen as well as antagonistic microbe isolation. In-vitro tests were performed to check the antagonistic properties against Tilletia indica. Field evaluation of these rhizobacterial isolates with and without salicylic acid was done in BARI Bahawalpur. Already screened two susceptible advance lines and one moderately susceptible variety was selected for further studies. Seeds treated with three antagonistic rhizobacterial isolates were grown in plots already treated with salicylic acid and untreated as control. Treatments were assessed for incidence of karnal bunt in susceptible and moderately susceptible varieties of wheat. Incidence of Karnal bunt was significantly lower in antagonistic rhizobacterial treated seeds sown in salicylic acid treated plots as compared to untreated plots.