Bio-efficacy of plant extracts and bio-control agents against Macrophomina phaseolina.

Among the antagonists assayed Trichoderma viride, T. harzianum and Bacillus subtilis were found inhibitory to Macrophomina phaseolina. Plant extracts tested viz. Allium sativum inhibited the maximum fungal mycelium growth (86.6%) followed by Polyathia longiflora (72.9%) and Azadiracta indica (48.7%). Soil drenching with A. sativum (10%) recorded the maximum percentage (64.4%) of good stand of the crop followed by P. longifolia (52.2%). Soil drenching immediately after sowing was found to be better than second method i.e., 24 hrs after sowing. Further, the root rot incidence was low (14.1%) with T. viride (seed treatment + soil application) followed by T. viride and T. harzianum (seed treatment).