Evaluation of Fungicides, Bioagents and Botanicals Against Pomegranate Anthracnose*

Four each of systemic and non-systemic fungicides and bioagents along with seven botanicals were evaluated in vitro against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, the causal agent of anthracnose of pomegranate. Difenoconazole, carbendazim and a combi-product, carbendazim+ mancozeb were most effective in reducing the mycelial growth of the fungus at higher concentration (0.1%). Among fungal antagonists, Trichoderma viride (I) and bacterial antagonists, Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pfr-1) inhibited the maximum mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides. Extracts from leaves of eucalyptus and garlic bulbs at 10 per cent concentration gave higher level of inhibition. The best performing in vitro fungicides, bioagents and botanicals when tested under field condition, difenoconazole (0.1%) at the initial appearance of the symptoms significantly reduced (18.9%) the disease index of anthracnose besides increasing pomegranate yield (8586 kg/ha) as against control with highest disease index (67.6%) and lowest yield (3042 kg/ha).