Biological control of root-rot disease complex of chickpea by AM fungi

Abstract

Six species AM fungi, namely Glomus fasciculatum, G. constrictum, G. intraradices sp., Gigaspora margarita, Acaulospora sp. and Sclerocystis sp., were used for the biological control of root-rot disease complex of chickpea caused by Meloidogyne incognita and Macrophomina phaseolina. Application of these AM fungi increase plant growth, pod number, chlorophyll, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in diseased plants and also reduced nematode multiplication and root-rot index. G. fasciculatum caused greater increase in plant growth, pod number, chlorophyll, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents of pathogen inoculated plants followed by G. intaradices, G. constrictum, Sclerocystis, G. margarita and Acaulospora sp. Percent root colonization caused by G. fasciculatum was high followed by G. intaradices, G. constrictum, Sclerocystis sp., G. margarita and Acaulospora sp. Glomus fasciculatum also caused higher reduction in root-rot index, galling and nematodes multiplication while Acaulospora sp. produced the least.