Management of damping-off disease of seedling caused in solanaceous and cruciferous vegetable through integrated approach

Abstract

Three species Trichoderma namely: Trichoderma viride (Tv) Trichoderma harzianum (Th), and Trichoderma koningii (Tk) and Pseudomonas fluorescence as seed treatment two neem-based formulation as seed treatment and soil drench were evaluated in greenhouse experiment of damping–off caused by pythium aphanidermatum in brinjal, brinjal, chilli, cauliflower and cabbage. Treatment with all the isolates of Trichoderma spp. and Pseudomonas fluorescence resulted in significantly higher seed germination, less disease and higher dry biomass over the non-treated control in all the treated crops. Two neem-based formulations also significantly suppressed the disease and were on par or superior in effectiveness as compared to the fungicides metalaxyl 8% mancozeb 64% (Ridomil MZ 72) and captan 50% WP (Captra 50 WP).