Cow dung preparations in the management of Rhizoctonia solani

Role of fresh cow dung, urine, milk and cow dung preparations namely cow dung slurry, dried powder and ash of cow dung pats was evaluated against seed germination of pea, damping-off of okra seedlings and root rot of pea due to Rhizoctonia solani. Effect of fresh cow dung and dried powder and ash of cow dung pats was also evaluated against mycelial growth of the pathogen. Potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium amended with different concentrations of fresh cow dung and cow pat ash showed complete inhibition in mycelial growth of the pathogen at 2 per cent and above concentrations. Where as PDA amended with dried powder of cow dung pats resulted in 0.5 to 1.3 mm (cf 9.00 mm check) growth of mycelium at its different concentrations. Pea seeds dipped in cow dung slurry and milk upto 120 minutes and in cow urine upto 30 minutes in 1:1 and 1:2 (v/v) dilutions with water showed 100 per cent germination. Pea seeds dipped in cow dung slurry and milk (1:1) and cow urine (1:1, 1:2) concentrations resulted in complete control of root rot of pea in pot culture. Pea seeds treated with cow pat ash at all the concentrations and of cow pat powder @ 0.5 and 1.0 per cent supported 100 per cent seed germination and control of pea root rot. Okra seed treatment with cow pat powder @ 2.5 and 5.0 g/Kg seed and seed dip in cow dung slurry (1:1) for 1 and 2 hour supported very good seed germination and also provided complete control of damping-off of seedlings.