Efficacy of Pseudomonas fluorescens on control of chilli fruit rot caused by Colletotrichum capsici

The fungitoxic effects of 10 isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens from various parts of Tamil nadu were evaluated under in vitro conditions on growth of Colletotrichum capsici, the causal agent of chilli fruit rot. The identity of P. fluorescens was confirmed by DNA sequence analysis of the isolates. P. fluorescens PI-1 was the most effective showing 75.6% inhibition of colony growth with minimum mean mycelial growth (4.7 cm) of the pathogen. The aim of this research work was to study the use of biocontrol agents as an alternative to fungicides in the control of fruit rot of chilli. Key words: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, disease management, plant growth promotion.