Integrated management of fusarium wilt of gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridus Hort.) in Arunachal Pradesh conditions

A field trial was conducted during November, 2011 to May, 2012 at Instructional Farm, Department of Floriculture, College of Horticulture & Forestry, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh. Among the different fungicides (systemic/non systemic), bio-agents and botanicals tested, Carbendazim (T₁) was found very effective in inhibiting the wilt disease which gave maximum plant height (67.12 cm) at 90 DAP, spike length (110.15 cm), number of florets per spike (14.81) and corm yield (75.57g). The next best treatments observed among systemic fungicides were Propiconazole (Tilt 25% EC) (T₂) and Ridomil MZ-72 WP (T₃) followed by non systemic Indofil M-45 (T₄). Bio-control agents Trichoderma viride and Bacillus subtilis managed disease incidence which was significantly superior over control. In case of botanicals, garlic bulb extracts, parthenium and Tulsi also managed disease incidence which was significantly superior over control. All treatments were compared with control which showed 89.67 per cent disease incidence and lower corm yield (27.37g). Among the ten cultivars screened, minimum disease incidence was recorded in Poppy Tears followed by Candyman and Hunting Song and were found resistant against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. gladioli. Higher disease incidence was recorded in Wedding Bouquet, American Beauty and Jester which were highly susceptible cultivars.