Biocontrol of a chickpea root-rot disease complex with Glomus intraradices, Pseudomonas putida and Paenibacillus polymyxa

The effect of Glomus intraradices, Pseudomonas putida and Paenibacillus polymyxa on the growth, chlorophyll, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents and on the root-rot disease complex of chickpea (caused by Meloidogyne incognita and Macrophomina phaseolina) were observed. Inoculation of plants with G. intraradices, P. putida and P. polymyxa alone and in combination significantly increased plant growth, pod number, chlorophyll, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents and reduced galling, nematode multiplication and root-rot index. Inoculation of plants with P. putida most effectively reduced galling and nematode multiplication, followed by G. intraradices and P. polymyxa. Combined inoculation of plants with G. intraradices, P. putida and P. polymyxa caused the greatest reduction in galling, nematode multiplication and root-rot index. Pathogens had adverse effects on root colonisation by G. intraradices, while root colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus was increased in the presence of P. putida and P. polymyxa.