Biological control of Botrytis cinerea and plant growth promotion potential by Penicillium citrinum in chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

A total of 48 fungi were characterised for their antagonistic potential againstBotrytis cinereacausing Botrytis Gray Mold (BGM) disease in chickpea by dualculture and metabolite production assays. The culture filtrate of the mostpromising isolate, VFI-51, was purified by various chromatographic techniquesand identified as‘citrinin’by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometrystudies. The efficacy of citrinin was demonstrated to control BGM in chickpeaunder greenhouse conditions. The sequences of 18S rDNA gene of the VFI-51matched withPenicillium citrinumin BLAST analysis. The VFI-51 producedsiderophore, hydrocyanic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, lipase, protease andβ-1,3-glucanase; grew well in NaCl (up to 15%), at pH between 7 and 11 andtemperatures between 20°C and 40°C; and was compatible with fungicidesbavistin and thiram. Under greenhouse and field conditions, VFI-51 significantlyenhanced the nodule number, nodule weight, root and shoot weight and stoverand grain yield over the un-inoculated control. In the rhizosphere, VFI-51 alsosignificantly enhanced total N, available P and OC over the un-inoculated control.Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that VFI-51 colonised on theroots of chickpea. This study concluded that VFI-51 has the potential forbiocontrol of BGM and plant growth promotion in chickpea

Biological control of Botrytis cinerea and plant growth promotion potential by Penicillium citrinum in chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276243468_Biological_control_of_Botrytis_cinerea_and_plant_growth_promotion_potential_by_Penicillium_citrinum_in_chickpea_Cicer_arietinum_L [accessed Apr 21, 2017].