Informatics Publishing Limited

A. K. Vijayan ¹, Joseph Thomas ¹, K. Dhanapal ¹, R. Naidu ¹

Affiliations
1 Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Myladumpara, Kailasanadu, Idukki, Kerala - 685 553, IN

Abstract

Small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton), ... the Queen of Spices is au important spice crop cultivated on a large scale in the Western ghats of South India. Rhizome rot is a major disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn in cardamom plantations. The disease occurs in a severe form during monsoon and results in heavy crop losses. In the present study, exotic and native isolates of Trichoderma viride Pers. Fr. and T.harzianum Rifai were tested against the pathogen under in vitro conditions. These isolates were further evaluated in disease-prone areas in the field. Results showed that all the isolates tested showed antagonistic activity through hyphal coiling, penetration and lysis of the hyphae of the pathogen besides inducing growth inhibition of the laller. Among the nine isolates tested in the field, eight were found effective in controlling the disease incidence. An exotic isolate of T. harzianum and a native isolate of T. viride were found to be most effective, the reduction in disease incidence being upto 52 to 69 per cent.

Keywords

Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum, Biocontrol, Rhizoctonia solani, Cardamom.

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Joseph Thomas ¹, R. Suseela Bhai ¹, A. K. Vijayan ¹, R. Naidu ¹

Affiliations
1 Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Myladumpara, Kailasanad - 685553, IN

Abstract

The small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) is severely affected by 'Azhukal' (capsule rot) and rhizome rot diseases caused by Phytophthora meadii McRae, Pythium vexans de Bary and Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn respectively. In an attempt to control these diseases through non-chemical methods, antagonistic fungi and bacteria were tested as bio-control agents against these rot pathogens. The common antagonists such as Trichoderma viride Pers.fr, T. harsianum Rifai, Laetisaria arvalis Burdsall and Bacillus subtilis (Ehrenburg Cohn) were tested under in vitro, pot culture and field conditions to evaluate their efficacy in suppressing the pathogens and minimising disease incidence. All the antagonists tested in vitro interacted with the pathogens by growth inhibition, anastamoses and hyphal lysis. Pot culture studies on the effect of these antagonists on pathogens showed varying degrees of disease reduction. Application of antagonists in Phytophthora-sick soils reduced soil disease potential index and percentage disease incidence. The potentiality or these biocontrol agents in monitoring rot diseases of small cardamom is discussed in this paper.

Keywords

Cardamom, Trichoderma, Azhukal Disease, Laetisatia, Phytophthora, Antagonist.

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Joseph Thomas

Abstract

The study attempts a critical evaluation of the reasons for Low Proficiency in the case of L2 learners in an Engineering college where the author is working. It also analyses certain classroom practices and limitations of the present day teaching methodology.  The advantages of the new approaches to language teaching are vividly explained with special emphasis on Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) which has its focus on the learners’ use of the language in day to day situations. The need for integrating fluency and accuracy is highlighted. It also throws light on the significance of error analysis. Ultimately the learners have to use the target language effectively at work place and hence the study reveals the importance of effective communication at workplace and the transactional values of the basic skills in the business world. Learners should go beyond the text book and the classroom. It is suggested that learners should find out self-directed learning activities beyond the text book and outside the classroom. It is hoped that this study will be beneficial to learners and English language teachers.

Keywords

Communication, Competence, Interaction, Proficiency, Skills

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