Background:
Soil borne diseases are major limiting factor in the production and productivity of major vegetable and plantation crops of Coastal region. Management of these diseases has become very difficult due to various factors viz. favorable soil and climatic conditions, development of resistance to the available chemicals, environmental pollution etc. One of the promising strategies is to develop a viable, eco-friendly, wide spectrum PGPR for growth promotion and disease suppression. Technology Details:
Bio-formulation of plant growth promoting bacterium recommended for plant health management in Coastal regions of the country. ICAR-CCARI identified a plant growth promoting bacterium and standardized the highly stable formulation; application of which improved the plant growth, yield and reduced the incidence of soil borne diseases under Coastal region. The population of bacterium in the formulation is >108 CFUg-1 with the shelf life of at least 18 months. The formulation is recommended in vegetable crops (Brinjal, tomato, chilli and cucumber), black pepper, fruit and plantation crop nurseries. Benefits of using Goa Bio-2 include, improved plant growth parameters, plant health and yield; reduced soil borne diseases incidence in brinjal, chilli and black pepper; important component in IPM strategy and eco-friendly hence fits in organic farming concept. The results of various studies conducted clearly showed that soil borne disease incidence was significantly lower in Goa Bio-2 treated plants.