In vitro efficacy of soluble silicon against sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) charcoal rot disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid

Abstract

Charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina is one of the important diseases of sesame causing considerable yield loss globally. The present study investigated the effect of four different silicon viz., magnesium silicate, potassium silicate, sodium silicate and sodium meta silicate on the growth of charcoal rot pathogen M. phaseolina under in vitro. Results showed that the mycelial growth of the M. phaseolina was significantly inhibited on the PDA medium amended with silicates viz., potassium silicate (5%) and sodium silicate (0.2%), followed by sodium meta silicate (0.1%) over the control.