Replant disease is a major problem of apple orchards, which is a main cash crop in TransHimalayan region. The cause of this replant problem includes both biotic and abiotic factors, such as low nutrients, phytotoxins, actinomycetes, fungal complexes and nematodes. Fungi and oomycetes belonging to the well-known root rot complex are important factor of replant problems in apple. Application of plant growth promoting fluorescent Pseudomonas with antagonistic potential at replant site is one of the promising methods being a major component of rhizobacteria, promotes the plant growth and also act as biocontrol agents against fungal plant pathogens. In the present study, 14 fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates were screened out for in-vitro antagonistic activity by well plate assay method against five major fungal pathogens of apple replant problem viz., Dematophora necatrics, Phytophthora cactorum, Pythium ultimum, Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani. | Antagonistic activity of plant growth promoting fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. against major fungal pathogens involved in replant problem of apple
