Evaluation of Biocontrol agents against Lasiodiplodia theobromae causing Inflorescence blight of Cashew in Nigeria

Abstract

Biocontrol agents such as Trichoderma viride and Aspergillus niger hitherto neglected in the control of Lasiodiplodia theobromae causing inflorescence blight disease of cashew were evaluated in-vitro in the mycology laboratory, Plant Pathology Section, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria by dual culture technique; pathogen and the bio-agent at equal-distance, pathogen at periphery and pathogen at the centre respectively to determine their antagonistic effects and find out suitable management strategies. The results revealed that the selected bio-agents were able to inhibit the growth of the pathogen's mycelial significantly (P = 0.05) A. niger (31.87, 74.74, 80.12% respectively) and T. viride (25.38, 60.36, 90.48%respectively) and also reduce the mycelial extension of the pathogen significantly at the adopted dual culture techniques.