Evaluation of fungicides and biocontrol agents for potential application in Fusarium wilt management of banana cv Bantal

Banana is the most widely consumed and exported fruit in the world and is the staple food for millions of people in the developing countries of tropics. Among the production constraints Fusarium wilt caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f sp cubense (Foc) is the most devastating disease affecting commercial and subsistence of banana production throughout the banana producing areas of the world. The experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Research Station, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology during 2013–14 to study the efficacy of fungicides and biocontrol agents in Fusarium wilt management. The treatments consisted of fungicides, biocontrol agents and neem cake used through sucker treatment, soil drenching and soil application methods. Application of Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens both as sucker treatment @ 20 g/l for 30 minutes and soil drenching @ 20 g/l at 60 and 180 days after planting were found very effective in controlling the disease.