In the coastal vegetable belt of Odisha, Ralstonia solanacearum-caused chilli bacterial wilt is a fairly well-known disease. It causes around 100 percent yield loss in the farmer’s field. The condition is extremely complex, and numerous physical, cultural, chemical, and biological approaches have been tried and failed to control it. The purpose of this study is to determine the diversity of the various isolates and their chances of survival. Five isolates were obtained for this study from the Odisha coastal vegetable region. The isolates were given the numbers RS 1, RS 2, RS 3, RS 4, and RS 5. They were also examined for diversity studies, which take into account biochemical variation among them. The biovar determination test confirmed that Ralstonia is a member of Race 1 biovar 3 based on the test results. The bacteria responded positively to the catalase test, the KoH Solubility Test, and the nitrate reduction test, but not to the starch hydrolysis test. From this study, we got an idea about the diversity among various isolates of Ralstonia which in turn will help to manage this particular problem efficiently.

Ralstonia solanacearum, Chilli, Oxidase test, catalase test, Nitrate test, KOH solubility test, Starch hydrolysis

Based on the above test results, it is confirmed that Ralstonia belongs to Race 1 biovar 3 through the biovar determination test. Bacterium has showed positive reaction towards catalase test, KoH Solubility Test, nitrate reduction test while showed negative reaction on starch hydrolysis test.

Abhisek Tripathy, Akshaya Kumar Senapati and Satya Narayan Satapathy (2022). Biochemical characterization of Ralstonia solanacearum causing Chilli Bacterial Wilt. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4a): 781-785.