Efficacy of bacterial biocontrol agents and commercial fungicides against fusarium wilt of chrysanthemum

Fusarium wilt is one of the most devastating and destructive disease of chrysanthemum, resulting in significant yield loss. The main aim of this study is to identify the most effective bacterial biocontrol agents and fungicides for the management of Fusarium wilt under in vitro conditions. Among the different bacterial biocontrol agents, Pseudomonas isolate, Ps Ap and Bacillus isolate, Bs 6 inhibited the mycelial growth of Fusarium sp. to the extent of 57.77 per cent and 42.22 per cent over untreated control. Among the ten commercial fungicides, Carbendazim 50% WP and Tebuconazole 50% + Trifloxystrobin 25% WP were found to be most effective against Fusarium sp. in all the concentrations tested under in vitro conditions. Studies on the compatibility of bacterial biocontrol agents and chemicals revealed that, the fungicides Carbendazim, Tebuconazole + Trifloxystrobin and Propiconazole were found to be compatible at all the three concentrations viz., 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm respectively.