Legume Research
Web of Science
  • Year: 2026
  • Volume: 49
  • Issue: 3

Integrated Management of Stem Rot of Groundnut Caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. Through Fungicides, Bioagents and Organic Manures

  • Author:
  • Shivalingappa Hotkar1*, S.A. Ashtaputre2, Shamarao Jahadirdar3, M.S.L. Rao3, B.N. Motagi4, P. Jones5
  • Total Page Count: 7
  • Page Number: 522 to 528

1Department of Plant Pathology, All India Coordinated Research Project on Safflower, Agriculture Research Station, Annigeri-582 201, Karnataka, India.

2All India Coordinated Research Project on Mullarp, University of Agriculture Science, Dharwad-580 005, Karnataka, India.

3Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture Science, Dharwad-580 005, Karnataka, India.

4All India Coordinated Research Project on Safflower, Agriculture Research Station, Annigeri-582 201, Karnataka, India.

5Department of Agricultural Microbiology, University of Agriculture Science, Dharwad-580 005, Karnataka, India.

Corresponding Author: Shivalingappa Hotkar, Department of Plant Pathology, All India Coordinated Research Project on Saff lower, Agriculture Research Station, Annigeri-582 201, Karnataka, India. Email: hotkarsn@uasd.in

Abstract

The groundnut crop faces various biotic and abiotic stresses that reduce yield and quality, leading to significant economic losses. Stem rot, caused by Sclerotium rolfsii, is a major root disease, causing 40–55% yield loss. Hence effective management strategies for stem rot are essential.

A field trial was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, during rabi 2023–24 and kharif 2024–25. The trial evaluated the efficacy of cost-effective fungicides, bioagents and organic manures against groundnut stem rot. Disease incidence (%) and yield per hectare were analyzed statistically.

Laboratory experiments revealed that seed dressing fungicides Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% DS and Propiconazole 25% EC were highly effective against Sclerotium rolfsii. Among bioagents, Trichoderma harzianum (IOF, UAS, Dharwad strain) showed the highest efficacy, followed by T. harzianum (NBAIM, Mau, Uttar Pradesh strain) and T. harzianum (NBAIR, Bengaluru strain). A two-year evaluation of ten integrated treatment modules during rabi seasons demonstrated that seed treatment with a consortia of T. harzianum (NBAIM, Mau, UP) + T. harzianum (NBAIR, Bengaluru) at 10 g kg-1 seeds, combined with soil application of vermicompost enriched with T. harzianum (NBAIM, Mau, UP) + T. harzianum (NBAIR, Bengaluru) (1 kg each + 100 kg vermicompost) at 250 kg/acre in seed furrows at sowing, resulted in the lowest disease incidence and highest pod yield, chlorophyll content, haulm yield and benefit-cost ratio.

Keywords

Bioagents, Groundnut, Management, Stem rot