Integrated management of wilt disease in Guava caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. psidii

Abstract

Guava (Psidium guajava) is an important fruit crop of subtropical countries. Though it is a crop of marginal and waste lands, the production is often hindered by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. psidii, causing wilt disease resulting into loss of crops. Therefore, a study was conducted to isolate and evaluate the native antagonistic organisms against the pathogen and to develop integrated disease management modules for guava wilt. In vitro bio-efficacy studies revealed that Pseudomonas fluorescens (TNAU Pf1) recorded the highest % inhibition of mycelia growth of the pathogen (74.4%) followed by the isolate P1 (67.8%) under dual culture technique. Among the fungicides, viz., carbendazim, propiconazole and tebuconazole exhibited total inhibition of mycelial growth of F. o. f. sp. psidii at 50 ppm concentration in poisoned food technique in both solid and liquid media. Under field conditions, soil application of neem cake (250 g/plant) + AM fungi (100 g/plant) + Azophos (100 g/plant) + P. fluorescens (50 g/plant) + Trichoderma viride (50 g/plant)-once in 6 months produced the best results than other modules in terms of disease control, plant survival and soil health.