In vitro efficacy of fungicides, bioagents, plant extracts and essential oils against black mould of onion caused by Aspergillus niger

Abstract

Black mould of onion caused by Aspergillus niger is one of the most widely distributed and destructive storage disease of onion, causing about 40-60 percent yield losses. All those fungicides, bioagents, phytoextracts and essential oils evaluated In vitro were proved to be potent antimicrobials, with significantly highest mycelial growth inhibition of Aspergillus niger, over untreated control. Among fungicides, Hexaconazole 5% EC, Carbendazim 50% WP and Tebuconazole 25.9% EC (each @ 250 and 500 ppm), Dinocap 48% WP, Copper oxychloride 50% WP (each @ 1500 and 2000 ppm), were found to be most efficient in inhibiting mycelial growth of A. niger. Among the bioagents tested, B. subtillis, T. asperellum and P. fluorescens were proved to be strong antagonists. Among essential oils, thyme oil and clove oil (each @ 0.1% and 0.2%) were found efficient against A. niger, causing black mould of onion. Among the phytoextracts, Allium sativum (@ 10 and 20%) was found to be most efficient in inhibiting mycelial growth of A. niger.