In vitro studies on management of root rot disease caused by Ganoderma lucidum in Prosopis cineraria

Abstract

Ganoderma lucidum is a group of wood-decaying macro-fungi, reported as the major causal organism of the root rot disease of several economically important tree species of arid and semi arid regions such as Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce, Delbergia sissoo Roxb., Acacia tortalis (Forssk.) Hayne, A. nilotica (L.) Del., A. catechu (L.) Willd, Albizia lebbeck (L.) Willd and Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Plant-derived compounds are regarded as a substantial source for control of fungal diseases in plants and are considered as an alternative to synthetic fungicides. The present study was carried out to develop a suitable integrated management package against G. lucidum using integration of biocontrol agent with chemical fungicides and botanicals which are compatible to each other. Bioassay of G. lucidum , with chemical fungicides viz. bavistin, mancozeb, propiconazole and copper oxy-chloride, biocontrol agents viz. Trichoderma viride, T. harzianum and T. pseudokoningii and few botanicals viz. Datura stramonium Linn., Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del, Ailanthus excelsa Roxb., Lantana camara L. and Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC., which had medicinal properties and were known for presence of secondary metabolites were selected. The results showed suppression of the test fungus by bavistin, propiconazole and mancozeb with 0.10% concentration. Out of the three bioagents T. harzianum showed best results in overcoming and suppressing the test fungus. Some botanicals tested against G. lucidum , gave promising results in vitro.