Potentiality of Native Pseudomonas spp. in Promoting Sugarcane Seedling Growth and Red Rot (Colletotrichum falcatum went) Management

Eight native strains of Pseudomonas spp. were isolated from rhizosphere of various sugarcane clones on Pseudomonas agar using standard protocols. These strains were characterized for antagonistic traits on red rot pathogen in vitro and Plant growth-promoting (PGP) activities in greenhouse up to 30 days from single node setts in portrays as sett treatment (@109 CFU ml-1). The promising isolate was characterized up to species level by PCR amplification of 16S rDNA region using Pseudomonas specific primers. Elite strain was identified as P. putida strain AKP-1. Our results indicated that, Pseudomonas strains were inhibitory to C. falcatum (1.4 to 69.2% inhibition). Majority of isolates produced catalase, protease and HCN; however, only few isolates were IAA producers and phosphate solubilizers. In Greenhouse, all the isolates were found to enhance sugarcane seedling growth, however, the P. putida strain AKP-1 was found superior over others. Our future studies are directed in establishing the endophytic nature, if any, of these elite strains in sugarcane and in confirming the antagonistic activity on C. falcatum in GH and field besides PGP activities.