Analytical study on in vitro bioefficacy of bioagents against Colletotrichum capsici (Syd.) Butler and Bisby, causing Anthracnose of Chilli using CRD design

Abstract

Chilli [Capsicum annuum L.] is a significant spice/ vegetable crop grown in India and prone to many diseases. Among different diseases of chilli, Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum capsici (Syd.) Butler and Bisby is one of the most important disease and causes drastic losses in crop yield. C. capsici (Syd.) Butler and Bisby is air borne, seed borne also water borne pathogen and difficult to manage by use of fungicides alone. Therefore, in vitro study was attempted to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of seven potent bioagents viz., Trichoderma asperellum, T. harzianum, T. virens, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Metarhizhium anisopliae, Verticillium lecanii and Aspergillus niger against C. capsici (Syd.) Butler and Bisby, at the Department of Plant Pathology, VNMKV, Parbhani. All bioagents were found antagonistic to the fungus, but most efficient was, T. asperellum, resulted with significant maximum mycelial growth inhibition (52.51%), of the test pathogen. The second and third inhibitoriest antagonists found were T. harzianum and T. virens with the inhibition of 48.97% and 43.13%, respectively.