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

The most severe chickpea diseases in the world is Fusarium wilt, which is brought on by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum ciceris (FOC). FOC can reduce a chickpea crop's output by up to 100 %. Various management strategies have been employed out of which biological method is most suitable and effective. In the current study, the effectiveness of marine Bacillus licheniformis as a biocontrol agent against Fusarium infection in chickpea crops is investigated. Marine organisms are known to produce many antibiotics and controlling human pathogens. The current study aims at evaluating the effect of marine B. licheniformis against the chickpea pathogen (FOC). In vitro evaluations of glucanase and chitinase production as well as antifungal activity were done. B. licheniformis prevented development of fungal mycelia. Marine B. licheniformis was able to reduce disease index to 0 in chickpea. Three different conditions were used for the pot trial: control (T1), FOC treated (T2), and both Bacillus and FOC treated (T3). In pot experiment, T3 demonstrated 6.29 % increase in plant weight and 13.25 % increase in plant height. Despite the presence of FOC in T3, B. licheniformis was able to boost the growth of the plant while preventing FOC infection. The results showed that B. licheniformis has bio-control capabilities defending chickpea against disease and also improves its growth indicating that marine microbes are potent biocontrol agents. This study can open new avenues of using marine microbes in controlling plant disease.