In vitro Efficacy of Fungicides and Bioagents Against Wilt of Pigeonpea Caused by Neocosmospora vasinfecta

Background: Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) is one of the important leguminous crop of the tropics and subtropics and is infected by the wilt pathogen Neocosmospora vasinfecta in addition to Fusarium udum.Objective: Hence, the study was undertaken to see the in vitro effect of different fungicides (Thiram 75 WP, Carbendazim 50 WP, Chlorothalonil 75 WP, Metalaxyl MZ 72 WP, Thiram+Cabendazim (2:1), Carbendazim+mancozeb 75 WP, Tricyclazole+Mancozeb 80 WP, Zineb+Hexaconazole 72 WP) and bioagents (Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis) against the pathogen.Methodology: The efficacy of fungicides was assayed by poisoned food technique and of bioagents was assayed by dual culture technique.Results: It was found that among eight fungicides tested carbendazim (0.1%), combination of carbendazim+mancozeb (0.2 %) and thiram+carbendazim 2:1 (0.3%) exhibited cent per cent inhibition of N. vasinfecta, other fungicides were also significant over control.Whereas among bioagents tested, Trichoderma herzianum (50.30%) showed maximum per cent growth inhibition of the pathogen followed by Bacillus subtilis (41.47%).Conclusion: Thus it was proved that the fungicides viz.carbendazim, combinations of carbendazim+mancozeb and thiram+carbendazim as well as bioagent, T. herzianum were effective against Neocosmospora wilt of pigeon pea under in vitro condition.