Antagonistic activity of bacterial inoculum multiplied on Rhizophora mucronata Lamk., in the control of root infecting fungi on mash bean and okra

Microbial antagonists viz., Bacillus subtilis, B. thuringiensis, B. cereus and Rhizobium meliloti Multiplied on dry powder of leaves and stein of R. mucronata were used in the control of root infecting fungi on mash bean and okra. Good growth of microbial antagonists was observed on all plant parts. Population increased with the increase in time. Highest population of R. meliloti, B. subtilis, B. thuringiensis was obtained on stem whereas B. cereus oil leaves powder of R. mucronata. Of the four antagonists used R. meliloti showed highest Population on R. mucronata plant parts. Germination of seeds, shoot length, shoot weight, root length and root weight in okra and mung bean showed promising results when bacterial antagonists viz., B. subtilis, B. thuringiensis, B. cereus and R. meliloti after multiplication on mangrove plant parts was used @ 1% w/w. Infection of R. solani was significantly inhibited on okra when R. meliloti multiplied on leaves powder of R. mitcronata was used @ 1 % w/w whereas all biocontrol bacteria viz., B. subtilis, B. thuringiensis B. cereus and R. meliloti completely suppressed the infection of R. solani and M. phaseolina on mung bean when used after multiplication on leaves and stern powder of R. mucronata.