Induction of systemic resistance in cowpea plants treated with Pseudomonas fluorescens and neem cake

An eco-friendly management strategy for this disease, Pseudomonas fluorescens and neem cake were tested individually and in combination against Macrophomina phaseolina under pot culture conditions. Among the various treatments tested, the combination treatment (T6) involving P. fluorescens as seed and soil application (@10 gm/kg of seed and 2.5 kg/ha) plus neem oil cake as soil application @ 0.25 t/ha recorded induction of higher levels of defense enzymes and phenol than other treatments confirming the role of ISR in the disease suppression.