Biocontrol of vascular wilt and corm rot of gladiolus caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. gladioli using plant growth promoting rhizobacterial mixture

► Talc-based formulations of antagonistic rhizobacterial strain and strain mixture were assessed for vascular wilt and corm rot control in gladiolus in greenhouse and field conditions. ► A strain mixture of Bacillus atrophaeus and Burkholderia cepacia significantly reduced the diseases and also greatly enhanced plant growth. ► In greenhouse, reduction in disease severity and increased plant growth coincided with elicitation of defence enzymes.