BIO-EFFICACY OF ENDOPHYTIC ACTINOMYCETES FOR PLANT GROWTH PROMOTION AND MANAGEMENT OF FUNGAL WILT IN TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM)

The objective of this study was the isolation and screening of endophytic actinomycetes isolates for their antagonistic potential and plant growth promoting activities. A total of 60 isolates were recovered from root, stem and leaf tissue of 30 tomato plants. Studies on plant growth promoting activities revealed that 44 showed abilities to produce indole acetic acid, 18 produced siderophores, 34 ammonia and 16 were observed to solubilize phosphate. In addition, production of hydrolytic enzymes such as chitinase, amylase and protease was demonstrated by these isolates. The efficacy of all endophytic actinomycetes was tested against Rhizoctonia solani pathogen in tomato, among 60 isolates obtained; seven endophytic actinomycetes were antagonistic to Rhizoctonia solani in vitro. Among them, potential isolate actinomycete was promising in vivo.