Bioconsortia Augments Antioxidant and Yield in Matricaria recutita L. Against Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood Infestation

Plant-associated rhizospheric microflora has been vastly explored for its vital function in maintaining plant health. A better understanding however, for its impact on the root-knot disease management and enhancement of antioxidant potentials, especially in medicinal plants viz. Matricaria recutita L. (Chamomile) is yet seldom investigated. The present investigation evaluates selected potential of rhizospheric microbes viz. Bacillus megaterium, Trichoderma harzianum ThU and Glomus intraradices , singly as well as in consortia for the management of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood and augmentation of phytochemical contents in Chamomile. A significant reduction (2.50 fold) in root-knot indices was observed in the triple microbe treatment of B. megaterium , T. harzianum and G. intraradices as compared to control plants. Antioxidant potential at various levels viz. total phenolics and flavonoids, free radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power, total antioxidant capacity and reducing power was significantly higher in consortia treated M. recutita plants as compared to their single application. The results from the present experimentation indicate a possible new function of compatible interaction among microbe’s that can effectively cope with the root-knot nematode menace and is capable of enhancing antioxidant values of M. recutita .