Rhizobium japonicum as a biocontrol agent of soybean root rot disease caused by Fusarium solani and Macrophomina phaseolina

The activity of Rhizobium japonicum against the soil-borne pathogens Fusarium solani and Macrophomina phaseolina as causative agents of soybean root rot disease in both culture medium and soil was evaluated. Rhizobial culture filtrate caused an inhibition of the fungal radial growth of Fusarium solani and Macrophomina phaseolina on potato dextrose agar medium amended with the filtrate compared with control. The addition of rhizobial culture suspension to the soil contaminated by the two pathogens, Fusarium solani and Macrophomina phaseolina and their interaction, in pots, improved seed germination percentages and reduced the root rot disease index significantly. The sowing of rhizobial coated seeds in soil contaminated by Fusarium solani and Macrophomina phaseolina separately and in combination, in the field, increased seed germination significantly and induced a high reduction in disease severity for the same previous combination under field conditions. These results indicate that rhizobia could be an important element in root rot disease management.