In vitro Efficacy of Bioagents Against Pathogens of Root Disease Complex in Mulberry (Morus spp.)

Various bioagents were tested against Meloidogyne incognita, Botryodiplodia theobromae and Fusarium solani, together cause root disease complex in mulberry. Of the bioagents, Verticillium chlamydosporium, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Trichoderma harzianum (Th-2) and Th-3 suppressed hatching of nematode 86.9, 86.6, 85.9 and 85.6% respectively at 100% concentration. Similarly, these bioagents caused larval mortality 83.0, 82.0, 81.0 and 81.0% respectively after 72h exposure at 100% concentration. Isolates of T. harzianum viz.., Th-1, Th-2 and Th-3 completely inhibited growth of B. theobromae and F. solani. Thus, these two isolates of T. harzianum (Th-2 & Th3), which exhibited strong antagonistic activity against nematode as well as both the fungal root rot pathogens, may be exploited as one of the component for developing an integrated method for effective management of root disease complex in mulberry.