Integrated Management of Pigeonpea Wilt by Biotic Agents and Biopesticides

Two isolates of Trichoderma viride-l and 2 and one each of Trichoderma harzianum, Gliocladium virens, Chaetomium globosum and Bacillus subtilis were used as biotic agents against Fusarium udum, the causal agent of pigeonpea wilt, Bio-agents tested in vitro by dual culture method, were found antagonistic to F. udum. A maximum inhibition in growth of F. udum (38.3%) was reported by T viride-l followed by T. viride-2 (35.3%) whereas C. globosum was found least effective. Neem product amritguard (200 ppm), inhibited growth of the host pathogen by 69.2% in vitro. Soil application of T viride-l reduced wilt incidence by 31.1% while a combination of antagonist T. viride-l and amritguard provided 28.4% control at 60 days after sowing in pots. Seed treatment with amritguard alone was not found effective for the control of pigeonpea wilt.