B. P. Bhadauria, Yogendra Singh, Smita Puri and P.K. Singh
Abstract
Brinjal wilt caused by Fusarium solani f.sp. melongenae is an important disease which causes huge yield loss. Use of fungicides, cultural and biological control is some common management practices for this disease. Due to the harmful effect of chemical pesticides on the environment, biological control is emerging as an alternative management option. In an effort to develop eco-friendly management strategy for brinjal wilt the present study was initiated, in which Vermi Compost (VC), Neem Cake (NC) were used as soil amendments with or without Trichoderma harzianum in different treatments to evaluate their efficacy in suppressing Fusarium solani f.sp. melongenae. Application of combination of T. harzianum strains as seed treatment @ 4 g kg-1 plus soil treatment of neem cake @ 80g/pot at the time of transplanting and 30 days after transplanting showed the minimum wilt incidence with maximum rhizospheric survival of T. harzianum and reduced the population of the pathogen. Maximum fruit yield was found in the treatment having vermi compost and seed treatment followed by soil treatment. In general increasing frequency of application of the T. harzianum along with organic amendments increased the growth character and fruit yield.