Integrated Management of Pomegranate Punica granatum L Wilt Complex

Abstract

Wilt complex of pomegranate is caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata, Fusarium newlineoxysporum and Meloidogyne incognita. A fixed plot survey conducted in five districts newlineof northern Karnataka indicated that maximum wilt incidence was observed in newlineBagalkote district. The major pathogen associated with wilt was C. fimbriata alone or newlinefound in association with F. oxysporum, shot hole borer and root knot nematode. Based newlineon morphology and molecular characterization, the fungal pathogens were identified as newlineC. fimbriata and F. oxysporum. Presence of squarish dorsal arch and smooth wavy newlinestriae confirmed the root knot nematode as M. incognita. newlineOut of 69 fungal and 32 bacterial endophytes LF30, SF33 (Fungal endophyte) newlineand SB3 (Bacterial endophyte) were effective against C. fimbriata and F. oxysporum. newlineBased on morphology and molecular characterization, the effective endophytes were newlineidentified as Trichoderma harzianum (LF30), Trichoderma asperellum (SF33) and newlineBacillus vallismortis (SB3). newlineAmong all fungicides evaluated, mancozeb at 0.2 %, tebuconazole, newlinepropiconazole at 0.1 %, carbendazim 12% + mancozeb 63%, captan 70% + newlinehexaconazole 5% at 0.2 % were found effective against both the pathogens. Among newlinegreen nanoparticles, Pseudomonas fluorescens based ZnNPs exhibited equally effective newlineantifungal activity against both the pathogens. Out of twelve fungal and bacterial newlinebiocontrol agents tested, T. viride (Multiplex Nisarga) and Bacillus amyloliquifaciens newline(TNAU) showed significant mycelial inhibition of both the pathogens. newlineBased on compatibility test, consortia of T. viride (Multiplex Nisarga) + newlineT. harzianum (LF30) + T. asperellum (SF33) and B. vallismortis (SB3) + newlineB. amyloliquifaciens were developed and included in integrated management of newlinepomegranate wilt. Among twelve treatments under pot culture, drenching of newlinetebuconazole and propiconazole at 0.1 % or consortia of T. viride (Multiplex Nisarg) + newlineT. harzianum (LF30) + T. asperellum (SF33) or B. vallismortis (SB3) + newlineB. amyloliquifaciens recorded cent per cent disease reduction over untreated contro