Studies on Comparative Efficacy of Commercially Available Talc Formulations of Trichoderma spp. and Fungicide against Root Rot of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Rhizoctonia solani causing ischolar_main and stem rot in young transplanted plants is a major soil borne pathogen of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). Poor growth of affected plants, yellowing and drying of foliage accompanied with partially or fully damaged ischolar_main system are major symptoms of the disease. Studies were carried out to evaluate efficacy of soil application of ten commercially available formulations of Trichoderma harzianum and T. viride, under laboratory and field conditions for efficacy in suppressing Rhizoctonia ischolar_main rot and promoting plant growth in chilli. Soil drenching by carbendazim 75 per cent WP (0.2%) was also taken as standard chemical check. Except BF 10 and BF 5 all the formulations which were tested in the field experiment were effective in reducing Rhizoctonia rot incidence in chilli as compared to control. However, disease incidence was least (12%) for the BF4. Reduction in disease incidence in this treatment was comparable to soil drenching by carbendazim (12%). Among other treatments BF3 was second most effective bioagent against Rhizoctonia ischolar_main rot All the bioagents promoted plant growth in terms of plant height, ischolar_main length, shoot dry weight and ischolar_main dry weight. Maximum shoot dry weight was recorded for BF4 (60.5 g) followed by BF3 (60.00 g), BF6 (56.5 g) and BF2 (55.6 g). Similar trend of ischolar_main dry weight was recorded. Highest rhizosphere soil population was recorded in case of bioagent formulation BF4 (4.1x106 cfu/g soil) followed by BF3 (3.8x10⁶ cfu/g soil) and BF6 (3.4x10⁶ cfu/g soil).