In vitro Screening of Aspergillus niger Van Teigh against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. meionis, Muskmelon Wilt Pathogen

Seven isolates of the antagonist Aspergillus niger van Teigh and three isolates of the muskmelon wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporllm f. sp. melones were assayed for their in vitro interactions. The most virulent isolate of the pathogen was highly sensitive to antagonism compared to less virulent isolate. Variation existed among different A. niger isolates in their antagonistic potential. Observations on overgrowing ability of the antagonist, A. niger werc more useful in screening isolates compared to other parameters such as inhibition zone, radial growth of the test pathogen and I or of the test antagonist in A. niger Vs F. oxysporum r. sp. melonis system. Isolate AN 27 was found promising based on its biocontrol capabilities.