In vitro evaluation of fungicides and bioagents against Sclerotium rolfsii, causing collar rot of chickpea

Abstract:

Madhya Pradesh is leading state in chickpea productivity but due to diseases it is continuously decreasing. Different fungicides are used by the farmers to reduce the losses caused by these diseases. In an in vitro evaluation of Metalaxyl 4% + Mancozeb 64%, Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63%, Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5%, and Propiconazole 13.9% + Difenoconazole 13.9% against Sclerotium rolfsii, causing collar rot of chickpea were highly effective, exhibited complete inhibition of fungal growth at all tested concentrations and time intervals. Thiram 75% exhibited 89.44% and 86.44% inhibition with at 0.15% and 0.2% concentrations respectively. Copper oxychloride 50% showed 38.66, 21.85, 18.83% inhibition with 0.25% concentration at 3, 5 and 7 DAI respectively while carbendazim 50% and Pseudomonas fluoresces 1% WP were ineffective. All tested concentrations of Neem oil (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%) inhibited Sclerotium rolfsii growth from 76.32 to 84.46% and Trichoderma viride also inhibited the S. rolfsii fungus growth upto 61.23 - 68.93% when inoculated on same day with Sclerotium rolfsii.