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.