Integrated Management of sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Mustard using Bioagents and Organic Amendments

Stem rot, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, reduces mustard (Brassica juncea) yields. The study evaluated a combined approach using bioagents (Trichoderma atroviride, T. viride, T. harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens) and organic amendments (farmyard manure [FYM], vermicompost, mustard cake) in field trials. A Randomized Block Design applied bioagents to seeds (8 g kg^-1) and soil (10 kg ha^-1), and amendments (FYM: 10 t ha^-1, vermicompost: 5 t ha^-1, mustard cake: 1 t ha^-1). T. harzianum with vermicompost (T₁₁) reduced disease to 15.0% ± 1.0 and severity to 1.1 ± 0.2, yielding 1420 kg ha^-1. T. atroviride with mustard cake (T⁴) lowered disease to 13.0% ± 1.0 and yielded 1460 kg ha^-1. P. fluorescens treatments showed higher disease (22.8–25.8%) and lower yields (1200–1270 kg ha^-1). Amendments alone reduced disease to 48.0–52.0%, compared to 65.2% ± 2.5 in the control, but yielded only 930–970 kg ha^-1. Combining bioagents and amendments enhanced soil microbial activity and yields, demonstrating synergistic effects for sustainable stem rot control.