Evaluation of the Biocontrol Efficiency of Bacillus subtilis Wettable Powder on Pepper Root Rot Caused by Fusarium solani

Abstract

The plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) <i>B. subtilis</i> PTS-394 has been utilized as a biocontrol agent (in a wettable powder form) due to its excellent ability to suppress tomato soil-borne diseases caused by <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> and <i>Ralstonia solanacearum</i>. In this study, we evaluated the biocontrol efficiency of <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> PTS-394 wettable powder on pepper root rot in pot experiments and field trials. <i>B. subtilis</i> PTS-394 and its lipopeptide crude extract possessed excellent inhibition activity against <i>Fusarium solani</i>, causing pepper root rot; in an antifungal activity test <i>B. subtilis</i> PTS-394 wettable powder exhibited a good ability to promote pepper seed germination and plant height. The experiments in pots and the field indicated that <i>B. subtilis</i> PTS-394 wettable powder had an excellent control effect at 100-fold dilution, and its biocontrol efficacy reached 69.63% and 74.43%, respectively. In this study, the biocontrol properties of <i>B. subtilis</i> PTS-394 wettable powder on pepper root rot were evaluated and its application method was established. It was concluded that B. subtilis PTS-394 wettable powder is a potential biocontrol agent with an excellent efficiency against pepper root rot.