Marine Bacillus as a potent biocontrol agent against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris

•Marine isolate Bacillus licheniformis strain 94 showed effective result as a biocontrol agent both in vitro and in vivo.•B. licheniformis was able to reduce mat formation as microscopically observed.•B. licheniformis was able to reduce disease index in chickpea.•B. licheniformis + Fusarium treated seeds showed 6.29 % increase in plant weight and 13.25 % increase in plant height.•Stress enzyme assays post pot trial showed that isolate B. licheniformis gives protection against pathogen and free radicals.