Evaluation of potential fungicides, botanicals, biocontrol agents and their combination against M. phaseolina inciting root rot of sesame

Abstract

The most effective fungicide (vitavax power), potential antagonist/ biocontrol agent (T. viride) and botanical (Neem oil) which were obtained during poisoned food technique and dual culture technique under in vitro conditions were further tested to know their individual as well as combined effect on seedling emergence, plant growth parameters and root rot incidence in potculture with susceptible variety (VRI-1) in M. phaseolina inoculated soil. The results indicated that combined seed treatment with P. fluorescens, neem oil and vitavax power recorded maximum germination percentage (93.33%), root (5.70 cm) and shoot length (11.9 cm), dry weight (0.28 g plant-1) and maximum percentage reduction of dry root rot (71.38%) followed by seed treatment with P. fluorescens and vitavax power (64.11%) and least reduction in root rot incidence (16.07%) observed in sesame seeds treated with only neem oil.