Bioefficacy of fungicides and bioagents against Macrophomina phaseolina causing charcoal rot in maize

In recent years Macrophomina phaseolina causing charcoal rot of maize is more problematic in maize growing parts of Maharashtra. Present investigation was taken on evaluation of fungicides and bio-agents against M. phaseolina under laboratory condition and pot culture. Under laboratory condition, nine fungicides and six bio- agents were evaluated against M. phaseolina by poison food technique and dual culture method, respectively. Among fungicides Carbendazim 63 % + Mancozeb 12% and Carbendazim alone recorded maximum inhibition of (100 %) mycelial growth. Among the bio-agents tested Trichoderma harzianum was found more effective as compared to other bio-control agents and inhibited maximum fungal growth (63.33 %) of M. phaseolina. Under pot culture study, as soil application and seed treatment, among the fungicides, carbendazim + Mancozeb was found most effective. However, among bioagents Trichoderma harzianum was remarkably manage the charcoal rot.