Efficacy of seed bacterization with six rhizobacterial isolates was assessed in laboratory conditions to evaluate their resistance inducing ability in rice bean. Pseudomonas. fluorescens isolates B 5 , B 6 , B 8 , B 9 and B 17 and Bacillus species isolate B 18 were found effective in reducing the percentage of diseased seedling but showed the plant growth promotion. Increased levels of catalase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and poly phenol oxidase (PPO) were observed in seedlings indicating higher levels of ISR. Maximum induction of defense enzymes was observed with isolate B 5 followed by B 6 and B 18 . The utilization of indigenous PGPR strains as inducers of plant defense response may offer a practical solution for eco-friendly management of plant diseases.

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Tomato is affected by a large number of diseases. Among these, collars rot disease of tomato cause by S. rolfsii is a threatening disease in eastern coastal regions of Odisha. Since, this disease is soil borne in nature, it is very difficult to control by chemical fungicides. The native rhizosphere soil of tomato was used for isolation and screening of bacterial antagonists for their efficacy and growth promotion potential. A total of 54 bacterial isolates were isolated from rhizosphere of tomato of which five isolates viz. Iso-01, Iso-17, Iso-23, Iso-24 and Iso-32 were found effective for inhibition of the mycelial growth of S. rolfsii in dual culture. Highest inhibition of radial mycelial growth of pathogen in dual culture was induced by Iso-32 (75.6%) and Iso-24 (71.1%). In greenhouse experiment to manage collar rot in artificially inoculated tomato plants in portrays, the percent disease incidence (PDI) was minimum in treatment by Iso-32 (8.8%) and Iso-24 (9.8%), respectively. Similarly, percent disease reduction over control was highest with treatment with Iso-32 (85.1%) followed by Iso-24 (83.4%). Plant length, fresh and dry weight was also enhanced significantly due to the treatment of various isolates. The higher vigour index recorded with Iso-32 (1419) followed by Iso-24 (1387.3) as compared to vigour index (680) in non-treated control. It is concluded that native rhizobacterial strains can be successfully used for managing soil borne Sclerotium sp. affecting tomato crop while enhancing the growth of the treated plants.

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