Role of fluorescent pseudomonads in plant growth promotion and biological control of late leaf spot of groundnut

Twenty strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens were evaluated for their potential in promoting plant growth and in the control of late leaf spot caused by Cercosporidium personatum in groundnut under greenhouse conditions. Seed treatment with P. fluorescens strain Pf1 recorded the highest germination percentage and the maximum plant height. Seed treatment with P. fluorescens Pf1 significantly controlled late leaf spot disease of groundnut and increased the, pod yield. When the treated seeds were sown in soil, the antagonist colonized well in the groundnut rhizosphere. P. fluorescens Pf1 showed the maximum production of indole acetic acid in in vitro.