Efficiency of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis against Phytophthora spp. in Citrus

Phytophthora was recorded in all the soil samples collected from citrus orchards and nurseries. Out of 25 soil samples Isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis recorded from 11 and 5 soil samples, respectively. In vitro, four isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens and two isolates of Bacillus subtilis were found effective against Phytophthora parasitica and other fungal pathogens of citrus viz., Pythium sp., Fusarium sp. and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Efficacy tested under sick soil method, only Bs-K₁ (a) isolate of Bacillus subtilis was found most effective giving maximum disease control (81.34%), while other isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis were not found much efficient.