In vitro bio-efficacy of biocontrol agents and oil cakes against Pythium aphanidermatum from tomato

Abstract

Aim: To compare the bio-efficacy of biocontrol agents and oil cakes against Pythium aphanidermatum causing damping off disease in tomato under in vitro condition. Methodology: Bioefficacy of native biocontrol agents viz., Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluoroscens, Bacillus subtilis and nine different oil cakes viz., castor cake, cotton cake, coconut cake, gingelly cake, groundnut cake, mahua cake, neem cake, pungam cake and soyabean cake were screened in vitro against damping off pathogen through dual culture technique and Poison food technique. Data on percent inhibition was calculated and efficient biocontrol agent / oil cake was identified. Results: Results of dual culture technique revealed that under in vitro conditions, the biocontrol agent Trichoderma viride (TV4) showed maximum per cent inhibition of 80.15% against P. aphanidermatum the Poison Food Technique showed that neem cake was more effective at 5% and 10% with maximum inhibition percentage of 52.44% and 66.20%, respectively. Interpretation: Fungal biocontrol agent T. viride was found more efficient against tomato damping off pathogen when compared to with oil cakes. Key words: Biocontrol agents, Bio-efficacy, Damping off, Oil cakes, Pythium aphanidermatum, Tomato