Management of Groundnut Root Rot by Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens Under Rainfed Conditions

Management of groundnut root rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina using biocontrol agents viz., Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens was investigated for two years under rainfed conditions. Seed treatment with biocontrol agents significantly increased the germination percentage (11-23% and 54-82% over control during 2002 and 2003, respectively) and reduced disease incidence significantly (40-58 and 55-77% over control during 2002 and 2003, respectively). Treatment with T. viride and P. fluorescens increased pod yield by 14-35% and 22-33% over control during 2002 and 2003, respectively. Disease reduction was on par with the carbendazim seed treatment and hence use of biocontrol agents as seed treatment with and without soil application could be an effective strategy to reduce root rot disease and enhance yield of groundnut under rainfed conditions.