Author(s):

T Sivakumar, P Renganathan, R Kannan, K Sanjeevkumar and KR Saravanan

Abstract: Rice blast caused by <em>Magnaporthe grisea</em> is one of the most devastating diseases which account for yield loss up to 65% in susceptible cultivars of rice. In an attempt to biologically manage the disease, six strains of Pseudomonas viz., Bio-cure – B(MTCC 5671), CbePf, AuPf, DhrPf, KriPf and SalPf were tested against <em>M. grisea</em> by dual culture and roll paper towel techniques. Among the strains tested, Biocure B (Strain - MTCC 5671) recorded the highest percent inhibition of the test pathogen and enhanced plant growth parameters of rice. In field studies application of liquid formulation of Bio-Cure-B (<em>Pseudomonas fluorescens</em> 1.50 %) as Seed treatment @ 4.5 ml/kg for 1 hour + three foliar sprays @ 6.0 litters/ha from 45 days after transplanting at 10 days interval effectively suppressed the blast disease to the minimum and enhanced the plant growth and yield of rice to the maximum during both the seasons tested. Also, application of Bio-Cure-B showed no phytotoxic symptoms and was found safe to the environment as it did not affect the population of beneficial insects and microbes in the soil during both the seasons tested.

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