Evaluation of bio-control agents for the management of guava decline Shukla P.K.*, Kumari Nidhi, Fatima Tahseen, Singh Haripal ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Rehmankhera, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, 226 101 *Corresponding author E-mail: Prabhat.Shukla@icar.gov.in
Online published on 27 December, 2023. Abstract The area and production of guava has registered regular increase during last one decade due to its ever increasing demand and introduction of improved varieties. The wilt disease of guava caused by Fusarium spp. has been a major constraint and countrywide spread of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne enterolobii in recent years has made the issue extremely serious. Management of these soil borne pathogens has never been an easy task. Application of chemicals is not only expensive but also harmful to non-target organisms including human beings. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum, Pochonia chlamydosporia, Purpureocillium lilacinum, Bacillus sp., ICARFUSICONT and vermi compost alone and in combinations. All the treatments were effective in enhancing the plant growth and in suppressing pathogens. Bio-agents were more effective against Fusarium oxysporum when applied at temperatures optimum to their growth in comparison to higher. Pathogen activity was much higher at high temperature than at lower. Vermi compost + Bacillus sp. was found most effective against the nematode followed by P. lilacinum, P. chlamydosporia and T. harzianum, respectively. Top Keywords Guava, Decline, Meloidogyne, Fusarium, Purpureocillium, Pochonia, Bacillus, Trichoderma. Top |