Biological Control of Colletotrichum capsici Causing Turmeric Leaf Spot, in vitro

Nine antagonistic microbial bioagents viz., Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma virens, Trichoderma pseudokoningii, Trichoderma asperellum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Paeicilomyces lilacinus, Beuveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae were evaluated in vitro against Colletortricum capsici, the causal agent of leaf spot of turmeric. Percent inhibition of the test pathogen ranged from 83.44% to 52.44%. Among the antagonist T. harzianum, was found to be the most effective which caused growth inhibition of 83.44%, which is followed by Trichoderma viride with percent inhibition of 77.62%. From the observations of the present investigation the potential antagonistic fungal agents can be suggested for subsequent application in the field for an ecofriendly and inexpensive method of control of the leaf spot disease.