1Indian Institute of Horticultural Research. Hessaraghatta, Bangalore, Karnataka.
2Division of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute. New Delhi.
Two potential biocontrol agents viz., Aspergillus niger (A6) and bacterial antagonist (B1) were tested against nine Isolates of Fusarium pathogenic from watermeion. The reduction in growth, inhibition, and lytic zones in the dual culture tests were used as a criteria for this study. Differential action of biocontrol agents was noticed on all the Isolates of Fusarium suggesting specificity. Besides, the efficacy spectrum of A6 and B1 differed from each other. Three main patterns of action viz., lysis alone, inhibition plus lysis, and inhibition without lysis were characterized in both the antagonists. Thus, specificity exists in Fusarium suppressive solis. Soli types suppressive to one pathotype may not show any suppressive action an another pathotype.
