In-vitro analysis of inhibitory potential of fungicides and biocontrol agents against vascular wilt pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum infecting cotton in Western U.P.

Cotton yield production and productivity is significantly suppressed due to vascular wilt incited by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (FOV). The management of the wilt pathogen can be achieved by using various biocontrol agents, such as Trichoderma spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Bacillus spp., and fungicides, such as carbendazim, copper oxychloride, CM75% (carbendazim + mancozeb), propineb, mancozeb, vitavex, propiconazole and Amistar top. Among all the biocontrol agents, T. harzianum, P. fluorescens, T. viride and T. atroviride resulted highest inhibition (60-74%) of the mycelium growth of FOV was observed in vitro. The complete reduction (100%) in the mycelial growth of Fov was recorded with carbendazim, CM75%, propineb and mancozeb even at their used lowest concentration of 50 ppm among all the tested eight fungicides. The most significant biocontrol agents, including T. harzianum, P. fluorescens, T. viride and T. atroviride and fungicides, such as carbendazim, CM75%, propineb and mancozeb can be utilized in integrated disease management module for the best control of vascular wilt disease in cotton.