Suppression of damping-off in maize seedlings by Pseudomonas corrugata

Two strains of Pseudomonas corrugata, (I and 7), isolated from subtropical and temperate soils in Sikkim Himalaya, respectively, were subjected to Pet ri-dish as well as plant-based bioassay to examine their potential for dise ase suppression against three major pathogens of maize. A mixture of Pythiu m ultimum, P. arrhenomanes and Fusarium graminearum was introduced in the s oil; maize seed inoculated with one of the two strains of Pseudomonas corru gata (I or 7) were sown in pots containing such soil. The bacterial inocula tion resulted in significant disease suppression as well as growth promotio n of seedlings. The bacterial strains were also evaluated for their intrins ic antibiotic resistance against a range of concentrations of ten antibioti cs. While the bacteria were found to be sensitive to gentamycin and rifampi cin, they exhibited resistance against ampicillin, carbenicillin and penici llin, even at high concentrations.