Evaluation of Different Measures to Control Wilt Causing Pathogens in Chickpea

Abstract

Evaluation of Different Measures to Control Wilt Causing Pathogens in Chickpea

[Fusarium oxysporum] f. sp. [ciceri, F. solani] and [Rhizoctonia solani] were isolated from the wilted chickpea ([Cicer arietinum]) plants. To manage the wilt complex cultural practices, use of biocontrol agents and fungicides were tried under [in vitro] and [in vivo] conditions. Sowing of chickpea at different dates revealed that early sowing (10th Oct.) resulted in maximum disease incidence (32.20%), whereas, late sowing (24th Nov.) the minimum (13.35%). Twenty and 50 cm row to row spacing resulted in maximum (29.17%) and minimum (17.35%) disease incidence respectively. [In vitro] evaluation of biological control agents revealed the superiority of [Trichoderma viride. Trichoderma] over [Trichoderma virens] in controlling the pathogens. Carbendazim at 100, 200, 500 ppm caused maximum per cent inhibition of the pathogens under [in vitro] conditions. Fungicides applied as seed treatment reduced disease incidence significantly. Seed treatment with carbendazim increased seed germination (71.24%), though it was at par with carbendazim + mancozeb (62.21%) and mancozeb (61.46%). Seed coating with [T. viride] resulted in minimum disease incidence (9.24%), however, it was at par with [T. virens] (9.72%). Maximum yield (10.10 q/ha) was recorded with the application of carbendazim, followed by carbendazim + mancozeb (9.77 q/ha) and [T. viride] (8.10 q/ha).