Combining Viable Disease Control Tools for Management of Sesame Stem-Root Rot Caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid

Carbendazim 0.1% a.i. was the most effective among fungicides while salicyclic acid and neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract @ 1% (w/v) were better among the tested plant extracts in checking the mycelial growth of the sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) stem-root rot pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. The pathogen was antagonized by native isolates of Trichoderma viride, Gliocladium virens and T. harzianum. Seed treatment with carbendazim (0.1% a.i.), T. viride, G virens, neem leaf extract, salicylic acid and soil application of P and K as basal effectively checked sesame stem-root rot incidence besides the seed treatments showing effects of plant growth promotion. Carbendazim tolerant strain of T. viride (7V-Mut) was induced by mutating the native strain of the fungus by UV irradiation for 15 minutes. Integration of carbendazim (0.1% a.i.) and 7v-Mut on seed with soil application of P (@ 20 kg ha⁻¹) and K (@ 15 kg ha⁻¹) caused highest (91.7%) reduction in sesame stem-root rot incidence over control besides significantly (P < 0.05) reducing pathogen population in soil and enhancing plant growth.