Abstract
Groundnut is an important oilseed crop predominantly grown in Rajasthan, India and has suffered a 55 to 85 percent root rot disease caused by multiple pathogen complex mainly Aspergillus niger, Apergillus flavus, Sclerotium rolfsii, Thievaliopsis basicola, Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium aphanidermatum perennating in soil and seed. Trichoderma harzianum (Th3) was used against Groundnut varieties (GG-10, GG-20, M-13 and Local varieties) to reduce the yield loss by root rot disease during the year 2009 and 2010 in farmers’ fields in twelve villages in the Jaipur district of Rajasthan. The field trials were conducted by the application of Trichoderma harzianum in the form of powder and liquid bio-formulation. Trials were conducted by treating the soil, seed and foliage with powdered bio-formulation (Th3 SD, SA) at 5 g per kg seed/soil followed by spray treatment with liquid bio-formulation (Th3 FS) at 5 ml/l along with recommended IPM practices. The crops under farmer practice were significantly lower in yields with the diagnostic blackening symptoms travelling from roots to stem affecting the vascular system followed by shredding at root-stem internodes resulting in complete wilting and plant death while in Th3 treated crop blackening reduced and the root vascular system was free of disease. Maximum values of yield (39.17 Q/ha), R.C. Index (0.15), C.F.U. (38.5 x 106), and lowest root rot incidence (14.03%) was recorded in the Th3 treated groundnut crops. Increase in annual income also encouraged farmers to use the Trichoderma technology. Participatory approach and interaction between researcher and farmers helped in quick adoption and dissemination of use of biocontrol agents for groundnut growers in Rajasthan state, India.
Highlights
Groundnut (Arachis hypogea) is considered to be one of the most important oilseed crops in the world
Groundnut is an important oilseed crop predominantly grown in Rajasthan, India and has suffered a 55 to 85 percent root rot disease caused by multiple pathogen complex mainly Aspergillus niger, Apergillus flavus, Sclerotium rolfsii, Thievaliopsis basicola, Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium aphanidermatum perennating in soil and seed
Similar observations were observed in the case of one year protection during 2010 (T4) where there was a marked reduction in groundnut root rot incidence compared to farmers’ practice (FP) crop (T5)
Summary
Groundnut (Arachis hypogea) is considered to be one of the most important oilseed crops in the world It originated in South America (Southern Bolivia/north west Argentina region) where it was cultivated as early as 1000 B.C. Today, it is grown in areas between 40 degrees south and 40 degrees North of the equator, where average rainfall is 500 to 1200 mm and mean daily temperatures are higher than 20oC (Pattee & Young, 1982). It is grown in areas between 40 degrees south and 40 degrees North of the equator, where average rainfall is 500 to 1200 mm and mean daily temperatures are higher than 20oC (Pattee & Young, 1982) It is grown in over 100 countries of the world and plays a crucial role in the world economy. The market price is only 16 percent above the producer price (Rama Rao et al, 2000)
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