Suppression of red rot disease by Bacillus sp. based biopesticide formulated in non-sterilized sugarcane filter cake

Red rot disease affects sugarcane production adversely throughout the world. Intensive cropping and uninterrupted use of chemicals results in evolution of new pathotypes which can infect the resistant cultivars. Bacillus sp. inhabiting plant rhizosphere can protect the plants from multiple pathogens. In the present study, two antagonistic strains Bacillus subtilis NH-100 and Bacillus sp. NH-217 were able to maintain their population at 9.0 log CFU g⁻¹ in sugarcane filter cake until nine months. These strains were compatibile to the indigenous bacteria of sugarcane filter cake which maintained their population at 7.8–8.0 log CFU g⁻¹. The developed bioformulation induced the activity of various defense-related enzymes (0.6–6.9 change in absorbance min⁻¹ g⁻¹ of tissue), suppressed the red rot disease and enhanced crop yield under field conditions. This formulation could be used as potential biopesticide to control red rot disease of sugarcane.