Seed Bacterization with Bacillus subtilis AF 1 Increases Phenylalanine Ammonia-lyase and Reduces the Incidence of Fusarial Wilt in Pigeonpea

Cell free culture filtrate of a biocontrol PGPR strain of Bacillus subtilis showed a concentration-dependent growth and conidiation inhibition of Fusarium udum. the incitant of pigeonpea wilt. In vitro interaction of cell free filtrate of AF 1 indticed bulb-like structures in the hyphae of F. udum. Seed treatment with B. subtilis significantly reduced the incidence of pigeonpea wilt, but not with the cell free culture filtrate of AF 1. Seeds bacterized with B. subtilis AF 1 showed an increase in phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) from day 1, while the peroxidase activity increased from day 6. The results are discussed in terms of induction of host plant resistance in biological control of plant pathogens