Evaluation of bio-formulations of fungal and bacterial biological control agents in combination with fungicide in different mode of application for integrated management of tomato wilt

Abstract

Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici) of tomato is one of the major factors for low productivity of the crop. Bio-control agents along with fungicides were evaluated in various modes of applications to develop an efficient wilt management module. Tomato seedling roots dipped in fungicide carbendazim and bioformulation of Trichoderma harzianum and T. viride separately provided the lowest wilt incidence with the highest shoot and root lengths, plant dry weight, number and weight of fruits with statistically similar performance. Both T. harzianum and T. viride based soil application formulations showed similar performances. Further based on these results, seedling root dip and soil application of T. harzianum and T. viride separately and in combinations along with fungicides and Bacillus subtilis were evaluated. Combined application of PBP10G (T. harzianum) in soil and seedling root dip in a suspension of Pusa 5SD (T. harzianum) + fungicide carboxin 37.5% + tetramethyl thiuram disulfide 37.5% (Vitavax power) provided the highest shoot length, fruit number and weight along with the lowest wilt incidence. The wilt incidence observed in the treatment was alike to that of T. harzianum (PBP10G) × T. viride (Pusa 5SD) + Vitavax power and T. viride (PBP10G) × T. harzianum (Pusa 5SD) + Vitavax power. Thus, the application of Trichoderma based formulations with fungicide Vitavax power not only reduced the incidence of wilt, but also enhanced the growth of plants and fruit yield. The module developed is entirely new and proved effective for tomato wilt management.