Efficacy of Antagonists on mycelium growth and carpogenic germination of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Indian mustard

Abstract

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is a soil borne pathogen capable of infecting more than 400 host plants worldwide. It is a major pathogen that plays a crucial role in reducing the yield in economically important crops. The capability of sclerotia to survive for more than 4 years becomes very difficult to manage the crop from the infection of Sclerotinia rot fungus. Stem rot of indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Cross] caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is potentially a serious threat in many mustard growing areas in India. Treatments of seeds and foliar spray with of fungicides applied at regular intervals are effective in reducing infection, but uses of chemicals are hazardous, harmful for beneficial micro-organisms. Biological control of plant pathogens offers an exciting opportunity to manage plant diseases. In the present study, the efficacy of four bio-agents, viz., Coniothyrium minitans, Aspergilus nidulans, Trichoderma harzianum, and Pseudomonas chlororaphis were evaluated for the control of stem rot of Indian mustard. Results on bio-efficacy of different bioagents, when evaluated under glass house condition, the Coniothyrium minitans was the most effective agent and caused highest reduction (64.7 %) in carpogenic germination of sclerotia followed by Aspergilus nidulans (52.5 %) and Trichoderma harzianum (48.8 %), over control while Pseudomonas chlororaphis (48.3 %) was at par with T. harzianum. All the bioagents showed significant reduction effective in controlling the disease. Similar results were achieved when bioagents tested on dual inoculated plates.