Evaluation of bioagents and chemicals for the management of root rot disease of bell pepper

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum Sendt.) a member of Solanaceae family, commonly known as “Sweet pepper ” or “Capsicum ” or “Shimla mirch ” has attained a status of high value crop among vegetables in India because of its delicacy and pleasant flavor besides being rich in fatty acids, flavanoids, volatile oil and carotene. Out of total six bioagent tested under in vitro condition, Trichoderma harzianum (SMA-5) and Trichoderma sp. (AF2) were observed as potential bioagents which inhibited the mycelial growth upto 84.7 per cent. Studies on different methods of application of bioagent revealed that drenching was effective in controlling disease (61.1%). In vitro evaluation of fungicides revealed that out of seven fungicides tested, Ridomil MZ and Moximate @ 100 μg/ml were highly fungitoxic as compare to other fungicides. Under pot experiments, Ridomil MZ and Moximate @ 0.25 per cent were found highly effective in managing root rot disease upto 64.7 and 59.0 per cent, respectively. Integrated application of Trichoderma sp. (PF2) with Ridomil MZ (1.75g/l) was found most effective in the management of Phytophthora root rot of bell pepper under polyhouse conditions.