The effect of Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aurantiaca strain Q16 able to inhibit Fusarium oxysporum growth on potato yield

This study assesses the potential of antibiotics-producing Pseudomonas chlororaphis strains to increase potato yield and to inhibit the mycelial growth of phytopathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum (Fo) isolated from potato. P. chlororaphis subsp. aurantiaca strain Q16 (PchlQ16) caused the highest growth inhibition (67.07%) of FoA2 isolate in vitro. In field trials the effect of PchlQ16 was measured as the number of stems, number and weight of tubers and a total potato yield of the Rudolph potato variety. Application of P. chlororaphis and the number of treatments exhibited a significant effect on the yield. Two treatments of PchlQ16 increased the total yield of tubers from 4.9% to 33.05%, while four treatments from 9.3% to 92.35%, compared to the control. Based on our field results we can recommend a frequent application of PchlQ16 (4 times) during potato growth season. The results of our in vitro experiment support these findings as the bacterial strain suppressed growth of F. oxysporum. In this investigation PchlQ16 was confirmed as an effective growth promoting agent in potato production and can be highly effective in prevention of F. oxysporum infection.