Penicillium citrinum AVGE5. Growth stimulation and induction of systemic resistance in chilli against anthracnose disease by

The concept of biological control is getting more importance now days than the chemicals because of its eco friendly nature. The plant growth promoting endophytic fungi are known to enhance growth and induce systemic response in plants. Efficacy of Penicillium citrinum AVGE5, an endophytic fungus was evaluated for in vitro fungal antagonism to Colletotrichum sp, along with growth stimulation and induction of systemic resistance in chilli seedlings against anthracnose disease. The activity of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes amylase, lipase and protease was also high in this culture fluid. This isolate exhibited plant growth promoting characters such as Production of IAA(975 ppm), Ammonia(116?g/ml) and Phosphate solubilisation. The levels of Phosphate solubilisation, IAA and Ammonia(15.76?g/ml) respectively. 7days old Fungal culture broth of P. citrinum AVGE5 was incorporated into plastic pots containing chilli seeds var.LCA 334 and growth data was recorded periodically at an interval of 2 weeks. P.citrinum AVGE5 inhibited mycelium growth of C. acutatum and C. gloeosporioides under in vitro conditions and significantly increased number of leaves, root and shoot length, leaf surface area and seedling vigour index in chilli plant compared to control. This study revealed, application of P.citrinum AVGE2 resulted in overall improvement in growth of chilli seedlings and induced systemic resistance.