In vitro Evaluation of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria Isolates against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important pulse crops, contributing significantly to global pulse production. However, its productivity is severely constrained by Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri. The present study evaluates the antagonistic potential of native Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) isolates collected from the Marathwada region, Maharashtra, against this pathogen. A total of 19 PGPR isolates were screened using an In vitro dual culture assay, where inhibition of fungal mycelial growth ranged from 39.63% to 86.67%. Among these, the isolate CPA2 exhibited the highest inhibition (86.67%), followed by CPP4 (85.22%) and CPJ1 (83.48%). The antagonistic activity of PGPR is attributed to the production of bioactive compounds such as siderophores, antibiotics, and hydrolytic enzymes that suppress pathogen growth. The study suggests that these native PGPR isolates have the potential to be developed as biocontrol agents for sustainable management of Fusarium wilt in chickpea cultivation.