Biocontrol agents in co-inoculation manages root knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood] and enhances essential oil content in Ocimum basilicum L.

Published Date
Industrial Crops and Products
March 2017, Vol.97:292–301, doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.12.030

• Author 

• Sudeep Tiwari ^a,b,,,
• Swapnil Pandey ^b
• Puneet Singh Chauhan ^b
• Rakesh Pandey ^a

• aMicrobial Technology & Nematology, CSIR—Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), P.O. CIMAP, Lucknow 226015, India
• bDivision of Plant Microbe Interactions, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow 226001, India

Received 11 August 2016. Revised 19 December 2016. Accepted 19 December 2016. Available online 29 December 2016. 

Highlights

• •
  Bacillus tequilensis and B. flexus were first to be used for nematode management and quality oil yield.
• •
  Native microbial inoculants in co-inoculations (Bacillus, Trichoderma, and Glomus) reduced Root knot index (RKI).
• •
  Safer (ecofriendly) and sound technology for disease management and oil yield.

Abstract

The biocontrol agents are bestowed with potential to enhance secondary metabolites including essential oil contents. Rhizosphere microorganisms in co-inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are better in terms of plant growth-promotion (PGP) and warrants for potential management of soil-borne diseases. The present study was designed to evaluate the impact of microbial bioinoculants in management of root knot nematode, their growth promotion activity and on essential oil contents (quantity and quality) in basil (Ocimum basilicum). The estimated impacts of microbial inoculants on plant growth indices such as shoot fresh and dry weight, root fresh and dry weight, shoot height, mineral content and essential oils indicated that the two Bacillus species (Bacillus tequilensis and Bacillus flexus) alone and in combination with renowned biocontrol agents (Trichoderma harzanium and Glomus aggregatum) performed better in disease management and showed prominent effect on improved essential oil (quantity and quality). Data obtained from in-house and field study explained, significant differences between applied bioinoculants (field – herb yield 16.7–60.7% increment, oil yield – 27.2–51.2%, seed yield – 18.2–51.3%), vs. chemical control (carbofuran – 14%, 20%, 3.7%) and untreated control. The results thus validate that consortia inoculation (bacteria/fungi and AMF) is a better option for eco-friendly and safer management of root knot diseases along with improved growth parameters/yield attributes particularly in concern with economically important secondary metabolites/essential oil contents.

Keywords

Larvicidal

Root knot nematode

Bacillus tequilensis

Sweet basil

Essential oil content

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• ⁎ 
  Corresponding author at: Microbial Technology & Nematology, CSIR—Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), P.O. CIMAP, Lucknow 226015, India.

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