Data on biological control of Botrytis cinerea and plant growth promotion potential by Penicillium citrinum in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The culture filtrate of the most promising isolate, VFI-51, was purified by various chromatographic techniques and identified as ‘citrinin’ by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry studies. The efficacy of citrinin was demonstrated to control BGM in Chickpea under greenhouse conditions. The sequences of 18S rDNA gene of the VFI-51 matched with Penicillium citrinum in BLAST analysis. The VFI-51 produced siderophore, hydrocyanic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, lipase, protease and β-1,3- glucanase; grew well in NaCl (up to 15%), at pH between 7 and 11 and temperatures between 20°C and 40°C; and was compatible with fungicides Bavistin and Thiram. Under greenhouse and field conditions, VFI-51 significantly enhanced the nodule number, nodule weight, root and shoot weight and stover and grain yield over the un-inoculated control. In the rhizosphere, VFI-51 also significantly enhanced total N, available P and OC over the un-inoculated control. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that VFI-51 colonised on the roots of chickpea. This study concluded that VFI-51 has the potential for biocontrol of BGM and plant growth promotion in chickpea. The selected test fungus was also evaluated for its PGP potential on chickpea under on-station field conditions. The experiment was laid out in a plot size of 4 m × 3 ridges in a randomised complete block design with three replications. The test fungus was grown separately on SCB at 28°C for 5 days. Chickpea seed was incubated with the test fungus for 50 min and sown. The test fungus was also applied once in 15 days to the soil close to the plant until flowering stage. Irrigation was done on 23 and 51 DAS, plant height, nodule number, nodule weight, shoot weight and root weight were noted and at 60 DAS, stem weight, pod number, pod weight, leaf weight and leaf area were noted and compared with un-inoculated control. The crop was harvested and at harvest, stover yield, grain yield and total dry matter were noted. <br> <br> <b> <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=15Cuq892Kn8opYVliTBMZ02b57G7lBJFJ&usp=sharing">Experiment location on Google Map</a> </b> <br> <br>