Management of wilt and root rot disease of sugarcane in nursery

Abstract

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is one of the most important cash crops\rcultivated in Maharashtra. Many biotic and abiotic factors limit the sugarcane\rproduction. Among the biotic factors fungal diseases are major constraints in reducing\rthe yield of sugarcane. Wilt and root rot diseases of sugarcane are major threat to\rsugarcane cultivation in Maharashtra. The pure culture of wilt and root rot causing\rpathogen Fusarium moniliforme. and Pythium gramenicola sp. was successfully isolated\rfrom sugarcane wilt and root rot diseases infected samples. Pathogenicity was proved\rby Koch postulate test was carried out in pot culture under glasshouse conditions by\rinoculating the soil with pathogenic culture of Fusarium moniliforme and Pythium\rgramenicola. In vivo management of wilt and biofertilizer and Trichoderma indicated\rthat Fusarium moniliforme and Pythium gramenicola were found in carriers (cocopeat,\rvermicompost, bagasse, FYM and soil) and the bioagent Trichoderma was proved to\rbe the best antagonists in inhibiting the growth of the fungus. Among these, cocopeat\rwas found most superior and recorded maximum germination percentage, plant height\rand minimum wilt and root rot disease incidence at 30 and 45 DAP in vivo conditions.\rit was observed that Blitox and Bavistin inhibited mycelial growth of test fungus at 0.2\rper cent concentration and lower disease incidence. It clearly indicated that, these two\rfungicides are quite effective against the wilt and root rot diseases of sugarcane nursery\rcaused by Fusarium moniliforme and Pythium gramenicola. All the treatments of biofertilizers\rand Trichoderma were observed to minimize the diseases incidence.