Abstract

In the present study, experiments were conducted to test the efficacy of potential isolates of fluorescent pseudomonads against bacterial leaf blight of rice, under field condition. Different isolates of fluorescent pseudomonads were varied in terms of their comparative efficacy against bacterial leaf blight disease. Maximum reduction (50.69%) in disease severity was recorded with isolate FLP 84 followed by Pf 83 (48.26%) during Kharif 2006. However, during Kharif 2007, isolate Pf 83 (58.33%) and FLP 84 (58.33%) exhibited maximum reduction in disease severity. Maximum increase in grain yield (15.71%) and 1000 grain weight (30.22%) was recorded with isolate Pf 83, during Kharif 2006. On the other hand, isolate FLP 84 resulted in maximum increase in grain yield (16.09%) during Kharif2006. In the present investigation, out of five isolates of Pseudomonas sp. evaluated against bacterial blight disease Pf 83 and FLP 84 (isolated from rice phylloplane) resulted higher effectivity in reducing disease severity and increasing grain yield during both cropping seasons.

Key words: Bacterial leaf blight of rice, Pseudomonas fluorescens, fluorescent pseudomonads,Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzae.