Antifungal Activity of Plant Growth-promoting Rhizobacteria Isolates Against Fusarium and Pythium spp. in Saffron Plant

Sixteen plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains were isolated from the rhizoplane and rhizosphere of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) plant from five different sites of four different seasons of pampore area of Kashmir valley. These strains were analyzed for production of indole acetic acid (IAA), phosphorous solublization capability, production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and inhibition of Fusarium and Pythium spp. Thirteen strains produced indole acetic acid (IAA) ranging from 13.4 to 52.5 µg. ml- and all possessed phosphorus solublization capability ranging from 70.9 to 292.0. Eleven strains produced HCN ranging from low to maximum range. Out of these sixteen strains twelve showed percentage inhibition against the growth of mycelium of Fusarium ranging from 48.66 to 65.42 and thirteen showed percentage inhibition against mycelium growth of Pythium species ranging from 48.32 to 71.22.