Comparative Efficacy of Rhizosphere Mycoflora, Fungicides, Insecticides and Herbicides against Groundnut Stem rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii*

Trichoderma viride was found significantly superior over other antagonists in inhibiting the growth of Sclerotium rolfsii. Among five pesticides tested for their efficacy, hexaconazole (1000, 1500 & 2000 ppm) and propiconazole (500, 750 & 1000 ppm) completely inhibited the growth of S. rolfsii. Whereas chlorpyriphos completely inhibited the pathogen at one step lower (1500 ppm) and at recommended concentration (2000 ppm), while quinalphos inhibited the growth at 2000 ppm. Of the four herbicides, pendimethalin completely inhibited the growth of S. rolfsii at recommended concentration (1000 ppm). Sensitivity of T. viride against three agrochemicals showed complete inhibition of the growth of T. viride with hexaconazole and 48% with pendimethalin. However, no inhibition of the fungal antagonist was observed with calcium ammonium nitrate.