Investigations on biological control of lentil fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lentis

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus subsp. culinaris) is grown in south, east Asia and east Africa having considerable economic impact in developing countries. Therefore, definition of biotic and abiotic factors effecting crop yield and production emphasized. In this respect, finding alternative ways to promote plant growth for controlling Fusarium wilt which is a global pathogen of lentil caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lentis. This study was aimed to define PGPR effect of 30 bacterial isolates obtained from nodules of wild lentil species collected from Southeastern Anatolia on F. oxysporum f.sp. lentis. The in vitro biocontrol activities and phenotypic characteristics of rhizobia were defined. Statistically important difference (p≤ 0.05) was determined among bacterial isolates in case of in vitro biocontrol activities. In addition, the bacterial isolates differed phenotypically for their IAA, HCN, siderophore production and phosphate degrading activity. The data obtained through this study may contribute to develop biological control methods against F. oxysporum f.sp. lentis.