Integrated Effect of Biological and Chemical Control on Sclerotial Viability of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary

Integrated effect of biocides and fungicides on sclerotlal germination of Sclerotinia seleratiorum (Lib.) was studied under in vitro conditions. MBC and Bayleton reduced sclerotial germination with an increase in dipping duration at higher concentration. At 100 μg/ml, ten and twenty min. dipping in MBC and Bayleton respectively, caused complete inhibition of sclerotlal germination. Complete kill of sclerotia was obtained with MBC at 5 μg/ml with 10 min. dip and 4 × 10⁸ spores/ml of Trichoderma harzianum Rifai whereas 15 min. dip was required for the same effect with Bayleton. A combination of presoaking, high temperature, treatment with MBC and Bayleton and three biocontrol agents significantly reduced sclerotlal viability. Complete inhibition or sclerotial germination was obtained with T. harzianum and Gliocladium roseum with the highest spore density(4 × 10⁸ spores/ml) at 50 and 55 °C.