Consortium of Compost Dwelling and Rhizobacteria Are Confederate Fighter Against Soil Borne Pathogen in Maize

Biocontrol emerges as a promising alternative to chemical methods in combating plant diseases, caused by soil borne pathogen. To explore this, an experiment was conducted during 2022 23 in Biochemistry Section in collaboration with Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Twenty-five strains of bacteria (PGPR and CDB) were secluded from rhizosphere of maize and decomposed compost respectively. The strains were re-streaked, multiplied and purified. The strains were then underwent comprehensive characterization, assessing traits like biosynthesis of auxin (IAA), solubilization of phosphate, study with methyl red, oxidase production, production of siderophore etc. and biofilm formation. Following this assessment, metabolite of competent strains of PGPR and CDB were extracted and identified. Further analysis involved extracting metabolites from these strains using methanol and subsequent analysis via HPLC for phenol and LC/MS for phanazine detection. Notably caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and smaller quantities of ferulic acid were found in all the four strain’s metabolites. Quantitative analysis via LC/MS revealed varied quantities of phenazine in the metabolites. Notably, Mb4 and Cb4 exhibited higher production of 2-hydroxy phenazine, while lesser production was observed in Cb9 and Mb7. These results showed that strains carried higher phanazine and phenol levels enabled them to enhance disease suppression. Moreover, they exhibited superior root colonization in diseased soil, can fostering plant growth even under pathogenic stress conditions. In conclusion, meticulously screened bacterial strains demonstrated the ability to suppress pathogens which may support crop growth amidst disease challenges.