Combined effect of biosynthesized ZnO NPs and PGPR (Pesudomonas fuorescence) on the management of the wilt disease complex of pigeon pea

Geeta Rautela, Rose Rizvi, Sumit Kumar Singh

Abstract: Plant disease caused by various pathogens like fungi and nematodes significantly reduced the crop growth and yield globally. In present time NPs are emerging as potent tool for the management of plant disease and enhanced the crop production. PGPRs are environment friendly to increase the crop growth and yield. PGPRs suppressed the plant disease by the production of pathogen-antagonizing compounds as well as well immune system. This research article focuses on potential of role of biosynthesized ZnO NPs and PGPRs in the management of wilt disease complex of pigeon pea. Combined application of PGPRs (Pseudomonas sp.) and different concentrations (50, 100, 150, 200, and 250µg/mL) of ZnO NPs of enhanced the plant growth and yield of pigeon pea infected with F. udum, M. incognita and H. cajani. But significant reduction of wilt disease complex occurs at 100 µg/mL ZnO NPs and Pseudomonas sp. IS-2. Thus this research work was conducted to explore the effectiveness of ZnO NPs and Pseudomonas sp. against M. incognita, F. udum and H. cajani under in-vivo condition. Combined application of ZnO NPs and PGPRs potentially increased the plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, number of pods, shoot length, root length, number of nodule, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, proline and phenolic compounds of pigeon pea. This experiment confirmed that ZnO NPs and PGPRs synergistically reduce the plant pathogens growth and increased the antioxidant enzymes such as ascorbic acid, glutathione, ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. The implementation of ZnO NPs and PGPRs in the management of plant disease reduced the risk of chemical inputs.