Rhizospheric Pseudomonas fluorescens as Rejuvenating and Root Proliferating Agents in Black Pepper

Six strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens, which had been found efficient in ischolar_main-rot suppression in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) caused by Phytophthora capsici were tested for their ability in rejuvenating Phytophthora infected black pepper cuttings. Among the treatments, which had only bacterial application, IISR-6 ensured survival of 67% of the infected cuttings where as only 22% of the untreated plants survived 3 months after treatment, The combined application of IISR-51, IISR-6+IISR-13 and I1SR-51+IISR-11 with Metalaxyl-Mancozeb resulted in 100% survival of the infected plants, showing an additive effect. Experiments conducted for ischolar_main-proliferation activity of the P. fluorescens showed that the bacterial strains helped increase the ischolar_main biomass of the plants (30-135%). All the strains increased the ischolar_main length and ischolar_main area in the treated plants (12-127%, 43-200%, respectively). Strains were also found to produce plant growth hormones, viz. IAA&GA.