African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6860

Full Length Research Paper

Studies on pectinase activities of isolates of Erwinia carotovora and Rhizopus sp. causing soft rot in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata L.)

  K. A. Bhat*, N. A. Bhat, F. A. Mohiddin, P. A. Sheikh and A. H. Wani        
Division of Plant Pathology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, Shalimar-191 121 Srinagar J and K, India.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 23 July 2012
  •  Published: 30 November 2012

Abstract

 

Four isolates of Erwinia carotovora, isolated from cabbage, potato and carrot and one isolate of soft rot causing Rhizopus sp., were evaluated for their ability to cause soft rot and to produce pectinases. The results showed that all isolates varied in macerating ability and carrot isolate of E. carotovora showed the highest activity of pectinases. All the Erwinia isolates and Rhizopus isolate exhibited significant differences in pectinase activities as confirmed by cup-plate and viscometric assays. Rhizopus isolate showed the least pectinase activity as compared to bacterial isolates.

 

 

Key words: Pectinase activity, Erwinia carotovoraRhizopus sp., Macerating ability.