Evaluation of different bio-agents and botanicals against leaf curl disease of pepper (Capsicum annuum)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at central farm and plant pathology laboratory of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), Dhaka during December 2022 to April 2023. The study following RCBD design was carried out to evaluate the suppressive effects of selected endospheric bio-agents (Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma viride, Metarizium anisopliae, Verticillium lecanii, Beauveria bassiana) and botanicals (Neem, Nishinda, Bhat & Lantana leaves extract) for the management of Pepper leaf curl virus (PeLCV). Data were recorded on percent disease incidence, percent disease severity, chlorophyll content and yield attributes. The study’s findings showed that among the selected endospheric bio-agents and botanicals, Verticilium lecanii and neem leaves extract gave the best performance by lowering percent disease incidence (63%; 74.33%) and percent disease severity (38.23%; 42.23%) with higher yield characteristics preceded by Bauveria bassiana and bhat. So, it may be concluded that these bio-agents and botanicals can be used as an ecofriendly approach against this disease.