For the last two decades, many research results have
provided convincing evidence that root health and vigor
are directly related to plant productivity. As a
consequence, root disease control has become one of the
most challenging research areas in the context of plant
productivity improvement (Benhamou et al. 1990).
Soilborne pathogen Fusarium oxysporum is one of
common disease causing Fusarium wilt in crop of
Solanaceae: tomato, potato, eggplant, and chili. This
disease causes serious seedling dampingg-off. Fusarium
also causes plant to grow abnormally, or uses the plant as
agent of the pathogen transmission to other host plants.
The pathogen infects young root, growing, developing
and spreading in root and stem vessel, inhibiting water
and nutrient transport (Miller et al. 1986).
Biological control using microorganism has been
studied intensifely since not many alternatives to control
are available (Duffy et al. 1995). Health, environmental
concern, development of resistance in target populations
also contribute to developing biological control using
natural enemies (Martin & Loper 1999). Nonetheless, the
vast array of antimicrobial molecules produced by diverse
soil microbes remains as a reservoir of new and potentially
safer biopesticides (Kang et al. 1998).
Certain strain of microorganism has been reported to
succesfully suppress the growth of plant pathogen.
Fusarium wilt particularly can be suppressed through the
activity of fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. strains and