Efficiency of Different Local Isolates of Bacillus subtilis in Inducing Resistance Against Tomato spotted wilt virus in Pepper Plants

Ali, H.H., A.H. Mohamed and R.N. Mhed. 2023. Efficiency of Different Local Isolates of Bacillus subtilis in Inducing Resistance Against Tomato spotted wilt virus in Pepper Plants. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 41(1): 71-76. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-41.1.071076 The study aimed to try to control Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV, genus Orthotospovirus) and reduce pepper yield loss by the application of three local isolates of Bacillus subtillis (B-T isolated from tomato fields, B-G obtained from garden soil, and B-W isolated from wheat fields). The virus was diagnosed based on symptoms produced on pepper plants and DAS-ELISA test. Pepper seeds were treated with a suspension of B. subtillis isolates separately containing 108 CFU/ml after 24 hours. Seeds were dried on filter paper and planted in sterilized soil in 30 cm diameter plastic pots, and placed in cages covered with cheese cloth under greenhouse conditions. The results showed that treatment of pepper seeds with B. subtillis isolates led to an improvement of growth parameters inducing plant growth (plant height, number of leaves, shoot dry weight, disappearance of virus symptoms, and virus inhibition in treated seed plants as compared to the untreated plants. Keywords: Tomato spotted wilt virus, Bacillus spp., pepper, control.