Bioefficacy of novel cyanobacteria-amended formulations in suppressing damping off disease in tomato seedlings.

Biological control of plant pathogens is receiving increasing relevance, as compared to chemical methods, as they are eco-friendly, economical and indirectly improve plant quality and yield attributes. An investigation was undertaken to evaluate the potential of antagonistic cyanobacteria (Anabaena variabilis RPAN59 and A. oscillarioides RPAN69) fortified formulations for suppressing damping off disease in tomato seedlings challenged by the inoculation of a fungal consortium (Pythium debaryanum, Fusarium oxysporum lycopersici, Fusarium moniliforme and Rhizoctonia solani). Treatment with A. variabilis amended formulations recorded significantly higher plant growth parameters, than other treatments, including biological control (Trichoderma formulation) and chemical control (Thiram-Carbendazim). The A. variabilis amended compost-vermiculite and compost formulations exhibited 10-15 % lower disease severity and 40-50 % higher values than chemical and biological control treatments in terms of fresh weight and height of the plants. In future, in depth analyses regarding the mechanism involved in biocontrol by cyanobacteria and evaluation of these formulations under field conditions are proposed to be undertaken.