Ecological management of tropical sugar beet (TSB) root rot (Sclerotium rolfsii (Sacc.) by rhizosphere Trichoderma species

Trichoderma species are collected from different location of sugarbeet growing areas of Tamil Nadu and it is effective against Sclerotium rolfsii pathogen caused by sugarbeet ecosystems. Out of thirty-one isolates of Trichoderma viride and four isolates of Trichoderma harzianum collected and tested for their antagonistic activity against S. rolfsii by dual culture technique, one isolate was found to be effective T. viride (TVB1) that recorded the maximum (73.03%) inhibition on the mycelial growth recording only 2.40 cm growth as against 8.90 cm in the control. The isolates of T. harzianum THB-1 recorded 71.19% mycelial growth reduction over control. The colonisation behaviour of T. viride (TVB1) revealed that it completely over grew on pathogen within 48 h after interaction with the pathogen, and speed of growth on pathogen was also high and it possesses a higher level of competitive saprophytic ability. The best four isolates of TVB1, TVB-2, TVB-3 and TVB31 and two isolates of T. harzianum THB-1 and THB-2 were compared with other species of Trichoderma longibrachiatum, Trichoderma reesei, Trichoderma koningii and Chaetomium globosum and tested under in vitro condition. BA of neem cake at 150 kg ha^?1 + T. viride isolate (TVB1) at 2.5 kg/ha recorded least root rot disease incidence of 17.05% which accounted for 75.37% disease reduction over control and highest recorded maximum root yield 65.73 t ha^?1 and increasing sugar content.     

Effect of combination of bio-agents and mineral nutrients for the management of alfalfa wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. medicaginis

Abstract

Biological and nutrient management of soil borne disease is increasingly gaining stature as a possible practical and safe approach. Inhibitory effects of fungal and bacterial antagonists were tested under in vitro conditions against the wilt pathogen of alfalfa Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. medicaginis. Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas fluorescens (PI 5) were found to be effective against the alfalfa wilt pathogen. Manganese sulphate at 500 and 750 ppm inhibited the mycelial growth of F. oxysporumf. sp. medicaginis under in vitro conditions. In pot culture studies, manganese sulphate at 12.5 mg/kg reduced the wilt incidence (23.33%). Combined application of manganese sulphate 12.5 mg/kg + T. harzianum 1.25 mg/kg of soil significantly reduced the wilt incidence accompanied by improved plant growth and yield in pot culture. The mixture of manganese sulphate (25 kg/ha) + T. harzianum (2.5 kg/ha) significantly reduced the wilt incidence when applied as a basal dose in the field conditions. The average mean of disease reduction was 62.42% over control.     

In vitro and in vivo antagonism of biocontrol agents against Colletotrichum lindemuthianum causing bean anthracnose

Bean anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is a serious seed borne disease. For devising an effective management strategy, the efficacy of different bioagents, viz. Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma hamatum and Gliocladium virens conducted under in vitro and in vivo conditions revealed maximum inhibition of mycelial growth in dual culture (59.48%) and inverted plate (55.98%) with T. viride. All the bioagents overgrew the pathogen and the principal mechanism of mycoparisitism observed was coiling, brusting and disintegration of pathogen hyphae. Culture filtrate from T. viride was found best as it completely inhibited radial growth at 25 and 50% concentration and reduced the spore germination of test fungus significantly. However, lower concentrations of culture filtrate from all bioagents showed little effect on spore germination. Seed application of bioagents was found better as compared to soil application. A maximum increase in seed germination and inhibition of seed borne infection was observed with T. viride followed by T. harzianum under pot culture conditions. T. viride has the maximum potentiality to suppress the spore germination, mycelial growth, seed borne infection of C. lindemuthianum and increased seed germination when compared with the other biocontrol agents.     

Integrated management of fusarial wilt of tomato with implementation of soil solarisation

Fusarial wilt of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is a very common and severe disease occurring in most of the vegetable fields in West Bengal, India. Potenciation and formulation of different fungicidal chemicals and phytoextracts were evaluated against the growth of the pathogen wherein carbendazim (bavistin) and leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem) were recorded to be most effective. Combined treatment with 4 ml neem leaf extract and 1 ml captan (0.01%) or with 4 ml garlic bulb extract and 1 ml captan (0.01%) exhibited 100% growth inhibition of the pathogen. Integrated control of the pathogen with phytoextracts, fungicide and biocontrol agents was carried out. Among the treatments, a combination with extracts of neem, captan (0.01%) and metabolites of Trichoderma harzianum was proved to be superior over the other. Field experiment with three fungicides at 0.5% concentration was carried out in randomised block design where application of bavistin showed up to 62.27% reduction of wilt infection in tomato plants. Soil solarisation of tomato field showed 62.50 and 66.69% reduction of infection during the trial years. However, integration of soil solarisation with the applications of T. harzianum, captan (0.01%) and neem resulted in 100% reduction of infection and thus it was recorded as the most effective treatment in reducing the incidence of the disease.     

Effect of Brassica carinata (L.) biofumigants (seed meal) on chickpea wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris), growth,yield and yield component in Ethiopia

Pot experiments were carried out in the green house at Amhara Regional Agriculture Research Institute (ARARI) Bahirdar, Ethiopia to evaluate the potential of Brassica carinata cultivars namely; Holleta-l, S-67 and Yellow Dodola in 2007 and 2008. The treatment effects of B. carinata (L.) cultivars Holleta–1, S-67 and Yellow Dodola seed meals on chickpea fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris) were studied. Six rates of seed (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 g/kg of infested soil) were used. Infested soil without B.carinata cultivars amendments as a control and susceptible check variety JG-62 also without amendments were used in all the experiments. For each seed meal experiment, the treatments were arranged in factorial randomised complete block design in three replications. Data on seedling emergence, wilt incidence, fresh weight, dry weight, pod per plant, seed per pod, hundred seed weight and yield per hectare were collected. The amendments of infested soil with B.carinata cultivars seed meal reduced the incidence of chickpea fusarium wilt and increased yield per hectare. The interaction of the seed meal Holleta-1, S-67 and Yellow Dodola at 10–25 g/kg infested soil were effective in reducing wilt incidences on chickpea. However, the interaction of Yellow Dodola with 20 and 25 g seed meal per kg infested soil were the best combination in reducing significantly wilt incidence. The three cultivars incorporated at different level of doses significantly affected the influence of Fusarium wilt on the fresh weight, dry weight, pod per plant, seed per pod, hundred seed weight and yield per hectare. The highest yield kg/ha was recorded in combination of Yellow Dodola seed meal at 20 and 25 g followed by S-67 and Holleta-1 at 25 g /kg infested soil, respectively. The interaction of Holleta-1 at 5–25 infested soil significantly reduced disease incidence up to 16.7–43.3% and increased yield per hectare with mean by (30%) over the control. Seed meal amendment S-67 significantly reduce disease incidence 26.7–46.7% and increased yield kg/ha with mean by (36.7%) from the unamended control. Yellow dodola reduces disease incidence with 26.7–63.3% and increased yield kg/ha with mean by (45%) from the unamended control. The result indicates the potential of using Brassica crop seed meal amendment as useful component of integrated chickpea wilt management.     

Studies on the population dynamics and integrated management of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. psidi (Fop), a cause of guava (Psidium guajava) wilt

To assess the impact of non-host crops intercropping, bioagents and oil cakes, on population dynamics of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. psidii (Fop) and wilt of guava. Lowest population of Fop was recorded in garlic followed by intercropping with marigold with reduction of 84.9 and 83.9%, respectively. Bioagents viz; Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma harzianum reduced the Fop population significantly, with the lowest in T. harzianum followed by A. niger. Garlic bulb extract exhibited maximum inhibition of Fop growth (2.7 cm) followed by marigold (2.4 cm), respectively, over control. Neem cake significantly reduced population of Fop, closely followed by mahua cake, over control. Integration of neem cake + T. harzianum + garlic reduced the Fop population significantly, over control, followed by neem cake + T. harzianum + marigold but neem cake + T. harzianum + marigold reduced wilt disease significantly in comparison to neem cake + T. harzianum + garlic inter-cropping.     

Biological Control Agents in Combination with Fertilization or Fumigation to Reduce Sclerotial Viability of Sclerotium rolfsii and Disease of Snap Beans in the Greenhouse

The use of biological control agents in combination with fertilization or fumigation to reduce sclerotial viability of Sclerotium rolfsii and the disease it causes on snap bean was investigated in the greenhouse. The fertilizers ammonium sulphate [(NH₄)₂SO₄], ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃), diammonium phosphate [(NH₄)₂HPO₄], or urea applied to soil at a field rate of 135 kg/ha, 15 cm deep of nitrogen (N) (0.09 mg of N/g) or Gliocladium virens (Gl-3) biomass at a rate of 7.5 kg/ha, 15 cm deep (0.05 mg/g) did not reduce the viability of sclerotia of S. rolfsii (Sr-1) when each was applied alone. However, treatment with fertilizer together with the low rate of Gl-3 biomass significantly reduced the sclerotial viability. The treatments that were effective in reducing the viability by more than 75% were the application of (NH₄)₂SO₄ or (NH₄)₂PO₄ and the low rate of Gl-3 biomass. Application of the high rate (0.25 mg/g) of Gl-3 biomass alone only reduced the sclerotial viability by 25%. The addition of any of the fertilizers with the low rate of biomass generally resulted in bean seed germination in the pathogen-infested soil that was higher than that achieved with each individual component. The disease severity (DSI) on beans was appreciable (<3.0) in pathogen-infested soil treated with or without the fertilizer (NH₄)₂SO₄ and in pathogen-infested soil without fertilizer but with a low rate of Gl-3. However, in pathogen-infested soil treated with the fertilizer and the low rate of Gl-3 biomass together, the disease was reduced to a DSI value of less than 1.0. In fumigation studies with metham sodium (Vapam), a dose-response study to investigate the viability of sclerotia of S. rolfsii (Sr-3) indicated that fumigant rates of less than 23.3 μ g/g of soil were sublethal. It was also shown that 5.4 μ g/g of metham sodium was inhibitory to Gl-3 biomass but not to conidia. Consequently, the conidia of isolates Gl-3, Thm-4 of Trichoderma hamatum, and Tv-1 of Trichoderma viride were used together with metham sodium at 17.1 μ g/g of soil. Conidia that were applied to the soil 2 days prior to metham sodium reduced the viability of sclerotia more than each individual component. The results of this study suggest the feasibility of effective disease reduction with an approach utilizing biological control in combination with fertilization or fumigation.     

Biological control of onion leaf blight disease by bulb and foliar application of powder formulation of antagonist mixture

Abstract

Three antagonists: Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf1), Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma viride, were tested alone and in combination for suppression of onion leaf blight (Alternaria palandui) disease under glasshouse and field conditions. The average mean of disease reduction was 24.81% for single strains and 42.44% for mixtures. In addition to disease suppression, treatment with a mixture of antagonists promoted plant growth in terms of increased plant height and ultimately bulb yield. Though seed treatment of either single strain or strain mixtures alone could reduce the disease, subsequent application to root, leaves or soil further reduced the disease and enhanced the plant growth. The mixture consisting of Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf1 plus Bacillus subtilis plus Trichoderma viride was the most effective in reducing the disease and in promoting plant growth and bulb yield in greenhouse and field tests.     

Integrating bioagents with plant extract,oil cake and fungicide in various modes of application for the better management of web blight of urdbean

Abstract

Field trials were conducted to determine the efficacy of the integration of treatments based on a bioagent (Trichoderma viride), botanical (leaf extract and cake of Pongamia glabra), fungicide (carboxin) and Rhizobium sp. in various modes of applications for the management of web blight (Rhizoctonia solani Kühn) and their influence on grain yield of urdbean (Vigna mungo [L.] Hepper). Modes of applications were soil treatment, seed treatment and foliar spray. Among 54 integrations evaluated, soil application of P. glabra cake (200 kg ha^?1), seed treatment with integration of T. viride (2 g kg^?1 seed), carboxin (1 g kg^?1 seed) and Rhizobium sp. (25 g kg^?1 seed), and foliar spray of P. glabra leaf extract (10%) were found superior as they increased seed germination by 31.6%, yield by 36.0% and reduced disease intensity by 94.8%, and also significantly enhanced plant height, root length and number of root nodules of urdbean. The same integration without corboxin was also effective and could be used in organic production of urdbean. The integration of any two modes of application was found superior over any one alone.     

Effect of concomitant application of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Purpureocillium lilacinum in carrot fields infested with Meloidogyne hapla

Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne hapla remains a major limiting factor to obtain the estimated yield and quality of carrots in many countries. Effective use of nematode antagonistic bio-agents is a potentially important component of the eco-friendly agro-farming. The effect of seed treatment (ST) with liquid Pseudomonas fluorescens at 100 ml/kg seeds and soil drenching (SD) with Purpureocillium lilacinum at 5 l/ha, singly and jointly, was studied to minimise the damage caused by M. hapla in carrot plants under field conditions. The concomitant application of P. fluorescens ST + P. lilacinum SD reduced 70% of second stage juvenile (J2) population in soil, 71% of female population in root and 74% of egg numbers in roots. The carrot plants from P. fluorescens ST + P. lilacinum SD plots were 36% taller with 39% more leafs and 30% longer leaves than untreated plants. The yield was also 29% higher in concomitant application. There was no significant difference in the root colonisation of P. fluorescens and P. lilacinum in solo and combined treatments. It concludes that the concomitant application of P. fluorescens ST and P. lilacinum SD is more effective to suppress M. hapla infection and enhance the yield of carrot.     

Bioagent based integrated management of Phytophthora blight of pigeonpea

Phytophthora blight (Phytophthora drechsleri f. sp. cajani) is one of the major yield limiting factors of short duration varieties of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan). For eco-friendly and sustainable management of the disease, four antagonists, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma viride and T. hamatum, were evaluated under in vitro and in vivo conditions. P. fluorescens produced maximum inhibition zone, while Trichoderma species overgrew on the host mycelium and caused lysis. The fungicides apron (metalaxyl), ridomil MZ (metalaxyl + mancozeb), capton (captaf), difolatan (captafol), thiram (tetramethylthiuram disulphide) and bavistin (carbendazim) at both 0.3 and 0.6% were found to be compatible with P. fluorescens while B. subtilis was compatible only with apron at 0.3%. T. viride grew and sporulated well at 0.3 and 0.6% apron and 0.2% ridomil MZ. The bioagents proved to have potential and those which were compatible under in vitro were evaluated under field conditions. The efficacy of fungicide in combination with bioagents was greater compared to fungicide alone. The integration of P. fluorescens with apron or ridomil MZ as seed treatment significantly reduced the Phytophthora blight incidence and enhanced seed germination and grain yield.     

Response of faba bean to intercropping,biological and chemical control against broomrape and root rot diseases

Multispecies cropping systems contribute to sustainable agriculture with multiple ecosystem services. Effects of intercropping of various crops with faba beans on growth and yield parameters and disease severity of root rot, damping off and broomrape were investigated. This study was implemented in the laboratory, greenhouse and field to investigate the effect of the intercropping systems (fenugreek + faba bean, lupine + faba bean, garlic + faba bean and sole faba bean). The intercropping systems were combined with the application of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) and yeast as bio-control agents, compared to chemical application of herbicides (Glyphosate) and fungicides (Rizolex-T50), to control rot root diseases and broomrape weeds, Orobanche spp., of faba bean plants in vivo and under the naturally infested field. In vitro, yeast and Rizolex-T50 significantly inhibited mycelial growth of root pathogenic fungi. Intercropping with garlic and/or application of Rizolex-T, significantly decreased the incidence and disease index of root rot and damping-off diseases, meanwhile increased percentage of survival plants. In vivo, intercropping with fenugreek and/or application of Glyphosate, significantly reduced the number/weight of spikes/plot of broomrapes. Intercropping with fenugreek combined with AMF application promoted crop growth and significantly increased yield components. The AMF enhanced seed yield/ha when applied to the intercropping of faba bean + fenugreek and faba bean + garlic, showing the highest seed yield/ha with 3.722 and 3.568 ton/ha, respectively. Intercropping of faba bean with garlic integrated with AMF revealed the highest values of LER, 2.45, and net return, 2341 US$/ha. Our results suggested that using faba bean–garlic intercrop along with AMF inoculation can reduce root rot disease, damping off and broomrapes, as well as enhance the profitability of Egyptian farmer and sustainable production.     

Efficacy of some plant extracts in the management of cercospora leaf spot of groundnut in the Sudan savanna of Nigeria

Field trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of neem seed, garlic clove, onion bulb, ginger rhizome and pawpaw leaf extracts applied as foliar spray in controlling cercospora leaf spot of groundnut in the Sudan savanna of Nigeria during the 2002 and 2003 cropping seasons. Ridomil was used as a positive check while the control was left untreated. Three spray regimes (once, twice and thrice) were evaluated. A strip plot design with three replications was used in setting up the experiments. Ex-Dakar, a cercospora leaf spot susceptible Spanish Valencia groundnut variety, was used as planting material. All the plant extracts reduced the incidence and severity of cercospora leaf spot in both seasons compared to the untreated crops. However, neem seed and garlic clove extracts significantly reduced the incidence and severity of the disease compared to the other plant extracts. Ridomil was more effective in controlling the disease than the plant extracts. Three sprays with the plant extracts gave better control of the disease than one or two sprays in the season. The highest seed yield of 3115 kg/ha and 3311 kg/ha in 2002 and 2003, respectively, were obtained with neem seed extract treatment while the lowest seed yield of 2134 kg/ha and 2334 kg/ha in 2002 and 2003, respectively, were recorded from the untreated crops. Also the highest seed yield of 3124 kg/ha and 3418 kg/ha in 2002 and 2003, respectively were obtained following three sprays compared to 2523 kg/ha and 2641 kg/ha for one spray in 2002 and 2003, respectively and 2840 kg/ha and 3085 kg/ha for two sprays in 2002 and 2003, respectively. The highest haulm yield of 4121 kg/ha and 4089 kg/ha in 2002 and 2003, respectively were also obtained following treatment with neem seed extract. The lowest haulm yield of 2951 kg/ha and 3045 kg/ha in 2002 and 2003 respectively, were recorded from the control. Three sprays gave higher haulm yield (4265 kg/ha and 4279 kg/ha in 2002 and 2003, respectively) than one and two sprays in the season. Neem seed extract could therefore be used to control cercospora leaf spot and to improve groundnut production in the Sudan savanna of Nigeria.     

Utility of biocontrol agents in the suppression of seed borne pathogenic mycoflora and their effect on seed quality in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

Abstract

The scope of biocontrol agents in the control of sorghum grain molds was investigated both in vitro as well in vivo. Their utility in enhancing the germination and seedling vigor of mold-infected seeds were assessed. The biocontrol agents, Trichoderma viride, T. harzianum, T. hamatum, T. koeningii and Pseudomonas fluorescens (isolates collected from the state of Tamil Nadu, India) were efficient in checking the growth of mold pathogens when grown in Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) as dual cultures. The bacterial bioagent P. fluorescens was most efficient in checking the growth of all the test pathogens viz., Fusarium moniliforme, Curvularia lunata and Alternaria alternata (66.8, 68.5 and 64.9% inhibition of colony growth respectively) followed by other bioagents for their antagonistic effect. The in vivo effectiveness of the bioagents were enhanced when combined with other components like host-resistance, cultural and chemical control strategies, paving the way for a possible Integrated Disease Management. The percent incidence and severity of molds were lowest (19.44 and 13.5% respectively) with the treatment T₆ (seeds harvested at physiological maturity + propiconazole @ 0.02% + P. fluorescens @ 1 × 10⁸ cfu ml^?1) that recorded maximum 100 seed weight (2.905 g), followed by 2.871 g in T₂ (seeds harvested at physiological maturity + P. fluorescens). The effect of bioagents in enhancing the germination and seedling vigor was most promising. Of all the treatments, P. fluorescens resulted in maximum germination (88%) and seedling vigor (2635.60 vigor index), followed by treatment with T. viride (86.6% and 2478.47 respectively).     

Biocontrol of yellow disease of Brassica campestris caused by Fusarium oxysporum with Trichoderma viride under field conditions

Trichoderma viride was selected from three species of Trichoderma and was applied to the soil for biocontrol of yellow disease of Brassica campestris caused by Fusarium oxysporum. The population density of F. oxysporum averaged 10³ to 10⁴ cfu/g of soil in eight greenhouses. Moreover, the results of application of T. viride showed that the yellow disease of the first, second, and third crops in greenhouse A was 33%, 48%, and 35% in control plot, while it was 1.4%, 11.5%, and 3.0% in T. viride plots, respectively. Also in greenhouse B, the yellow disease of the first crop was inhibited by T. viride compared with control. However, the suppressive effect of T. viride declined on the second crop. Therefore, the third crop was not cultured in greenhouse B. The population density of T. viride in greenhouse A, in which yellow disease was successfully controlled, was higher than that in greenhouse B.     

Silent spring on podrot reduction and yield of benniseed in an ultisols

Benniseed (Sesanum indicum L.) is well known oil-seed crop grown mostly in the Savannah areas of Nigeria, and with little cultivation in the forest south. A two-season experiment was conducted in 2005 and 2006 to determine the influence of plant density and nitrogen application on podrot, oil content and pod weight of benniseed in the rain forest belt of Nigeria. Analysis of variance indicated that only the podrot and oil content were affected by plant population. An increase of 17.6% and 18.8% in oil content was recorded when plant density increased from 160,000 to 250,000 plants/ha recorded lowest podrot 2.02; 2.30 in the first and second seasons while 45 kg/ha, recording the lowest podrot of 2.59 and 2.63 in 2004 and 2005, respectively. 0 kg/ha (control) recorded the highest podrot of 3.14 and 3.46 in 2004 and 2005, respectively. An increase of 16.6% and 17.5% oil content was recorded when the plant population increased from 160,000 to 250,000 plants/ha in the first and second seasons, respectively. Further increase from 111,111 to 160,000 resulted in a further increase of 4.8 and 6.2 in the first and second seasons respectively. Nitrogen fertiliser is highly significant on podrot (P < 0.05), more so, interaction of plant density and nitrogen application were highly significant on pod weight with 250,000 plants/ha and 45kg/ha nitrogen recording the highest pod weight in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Mean values of main effect indicated optimal yield at the highest plant population of 250,000 plants/ha in the first and second seasons. However, yield was highest at the combination of 45 kg/ha and 250,000 plants/ha in all the seasons investigated.     

Evaluation of seed dressing and soil application formulations of Trichoderma species for integrated management of dry root rot of chickpea

The efficacy of the newly developed seed dressing and soil application formulations of Trichoderma viride, T. virens and T. harzianum were evaluated individually and in combinations under pot and field experiments for the management of dry root rot (Rhizoctonia bataticola) of chickpea (Cicer arientinum). In pot experiments, T. harzianum based seed dressing formulation, Pusa 5SD, and soil application formulations, Pusa Biogranule 5 (PBG 5) and Pusa Biopellet 10G (PBP 10G), were found to be effective in reducing dry root rot incidence in chickpea and increasing the seed germination, shoot and root lengths of the crop. Under field experiments, a combination of soil application of T. harzianum based PBP 10G and seed treatment with Pusa 5SD+carboxin was found to be the best by providing the highest seed germination, shoot and root lengths and grain yield and the lowest dry root rot incidence in chickpea.     

Fungal Antagonists of Gerlachia nivalis

Trichoderma viride was strongly antagonistic to Gerlachia nivalis in agar plate culture and it controlled infection of barley seedlings from seed-borne inoculum when incorporated in soil as straw culture and from soil-borne inoculum when conidia were applied to the seed coat. Penicillium expansum and Papulaspora byssina were inhibitory towards G. nivalis in culture, although not as strongly as T. viride, and they did not control seedling infection as effectively.     

Phytotoxicity of Sodium Fluoride and Uptake of Fluoride in Willow Trees

The willow tree (Salix viminalis) toxicity test and a cress seed germination test (Lepidium sativum) were used to determine uptake of F and phytotoxicity of NaF. Concentrations in hydroponic solutions were 0–1000 mg F/L and 0–400 mg F/L in the preliminary and definitive test. A third test was done with soils collected from a fluoride-contaminated site at Fredericia, Denmark. The EC₁₀, EC₂₀ and EC₅₀-values for inhibition of transpiration were determined to 38.0, 59.6 and 128.7 mg F/L, respectively. The toxicity test with soil showed strong inhibition for the sample with the highest fluoride concentration (405 mg free F per kg soil, 75 mg F per L soil solution). The seed germination and root elongation test with cress gave EC₁₀, EC₂₀ and EC₅₀-values of 61.4, 105.0 and 262.8 mg F/L, respectively. At low external concentrations, fluoride was taken up more slowly than water and at high external concentrations at the same velocity. This indicates that an efflux pump becomes overloaded at concentrations above 210 mg F/L. Uptake kinetics were simulated with a non-linear mathematical model, and the Michaelis-Menten parameters were determined to half-saturation constant K_M near 2 g F/L and maximum enzymatic removal rate v_max at 9 g/(kg d).     

Identification of Critical Stage for Disease Development and Biocontrol of Alternaria Blight of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea)

Fungicides mancozeb and carbendazim caused 100% reduction in mycelial growth of Alternaria brassicae over control in vitro while 1% (w/v) aqueous bulb extract of Allium sativum and leaf extract of Acacia nilotica caused significant reductions. In dual culture, GR isolate of Trichoderma viride performed the best among the test isolates of Trichoderma, causing 81%, 82% reduction in mycelial growth of A. brassicae over control. Performance of isolates SI‐2, P and SI‐1 of T. viride were at par (P < 0.01) with that of GR isolate. Spraying of A. brassicae at different ages of the mustard host plant identified 75 days after sowing (d.a.s.) as the most critical age of the mustard plant for development of Alternaria blight severity on the crop with 45 d.a.s. being the next most important one. Mancozeb was the best among all the treatments, resulting in the lowest disease severity on leaves of mustard at both Sewar and Ludhavai as also the lowest A‐value (area under disease progress curve). Performance of bulb extract of A. sativum in checking the disease severity on leaves and pods was at par (P < 0.05) with mancozeb. The GR isolate of T. viride was at par with mancozeb in checking blight severity on mustard leaves at Sewar while performance of the bioagent was significantly (P < 0.05) inferior to the chemical fungicide at Ludhavai. Performance of the bioagent isolate GR of T. viride in checking the disease severity on pods was at par (P < 0.05) with mancozeb at both Sewar and Ludhavai, the treatment recording the lowest A‐value on pods. While application of bulb extract of A. sativum resulted in highest seed yield at Sewar in 2001–2002, the bioagent isolate GR of T. viride did so at Ludhavai, both the treatments being at par (P < 0.05) with mancozeb and significantly higher than control. Application of bulb extract of A. sativum at 45 and 75 d.a.s. resulted in lowest blight severity on leaves and pods as also in highest seed yield among the different single and combination of treatments. Although disease severity in the treatment was at par (P < 0.05) with that in mancozeb, application of the plant extract at the two stages of crop growth resulted in significantly higher seed yield compared with the two applications of the chemical fungicide. However, application of the treatments singly only at 75 d.a.s., GR isolate of T. viride at 45 and 75 d.a.s., A. sativum 45 d.a.s. + T. viride 75 d.a.s., and T. viride 45 d.a.s. + A. sativum 75 d.a.s. resulted in seed yield at par (P < 0.05) with application of bulb extract of A. sativum at 45 and 75 d.a.s.