Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

SEED BIO-PRIMING MEDIATED CONTROL OF CERCOSPORALEAF SPOT AND BACTERIAL WILT DISEASE RESISTANCE INCHILLI (CAPSICUM ANNUUM L.) UNDER NEW ALLUVIAL ZONE

Desetty JMSNK Sri Veda, Pravallika Sree Rayanoothala and Prabir Chakraborti

Abstract

The potential bio-control agents Trichoderma harzianum, and Pseudomonas fluorescens in alone or combinationwere used as seed bio-priming for reviewing their efficacy in the reduction of the devastating diseases, theCercospora leaf spot (Cercosporacapsici) and Bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) of chilli (Capsicum annuumL.). Considering two important seasons, the Rabi season was comparatively vital as its disease severity wasmore. In chilli, the disease index was significantly reduced in combining the Trichoderma harzianum +Pseudomonas fluorescens treated seeds, followed by the T. harzianum treatment compared to the control (hydroprimed)against cercospora leaf spot of chilli. In case of Bacterial wilt, it was found that T3 followedbyPseudomonas fluorescens treated seeds. Chilli seeds were primed with Trichoderma harzianum + Pseudomonasfluorescens revealed maximum disease protection that was displaying favour in pre-kharif and early stage(35DAS) in comparison to rabi and 60DAS of chilli production. The ability of genotype indicated variationwhere the distinct variation was noticeable in V2 (G-4) mentioning its high tolerance at 35DAS. Theapplication of combined bio-priming may be suitable to control both Cercospora leaf spot and Bacterial wiltof chilli.