Management of Dry Root Rot of Mungbean Caused by Macrophomina phaseolina Through Organic Amendments, Plant Extracts and Bio-agents

Abstract

Background: Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek], commonly recognized as green gram, is the most significant and advanced pulse crop grown in Rajasthan. Dry root rot is one of the important diseases of mungbean caused by M. phaseolina, which is responsible for 30 to 40 per cent disease incidence with huge yield loss during seedling to mature stages. Methods: The experiments were conducted for two consecutive years during kharif 2020 and 2021 for managing the disease through organic amendments, plant extracts and bio-agents viz., Trichoderma harzianum (10 g/kg seeds), garlic extract (15%), neem cake (0.5 t/ha) and mustard cake (0.5 t/ha) alone and in combinations through seed as well as soil applications. Result: Our investigations cleared that the maximum disease reduction and highest seed yield were reported by treating the seeds with T. harzianum @10 g/kg seed + soil application of mustard cake @ 0.5 t/ha followed by seed treatment with T. harzianum @ 10 g/kg seed + soil application of neem cake @ 0.5 t/ha. In view of consumer health, present findings may be helpful for growers to get extra benefits by producing organic mungbean.