Integrated Management of Wilt of Chilli (Capsicum Annum L.) Caused by Fusarium Oxysporum F. Capsici. in Western Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Chilli (Capsicum annum L.) is the most widely grown solanaceous crops in the world Chilli is an important spice cum vegetable crop of the Solanaceae family grown around the world for its pungent flavor. However, their production has reduced over several years due to the attack of various fungal and bacterial pathogens and various abiotic factors. Fusarium wilt of chilli is one of the most important diseases as it drastically reduces the yield. In the present research work a total of 4 different botanical extracts and 4 isolates of Trichoderma were evaluated against the growth of wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. capsici. Among them Neem extract and Tr1 isolate of Trichoderma viride recorded better results hence they were selected for further study under pot culture conditions on the incidence of Fusarium wilt of chilli. In local variety of chilli Out of 5 different treatments tested, highest germination (94.25%) was recorded from T1. And, highest percent disease inhibition of Fusarium wilt (70.56%) was recorded from T1. On a similar condition, plant growth parameters such as improved plant height, dry weight, no. of flowers/ fruits per plant and fruit length were recorded from plants treated with T1. The integrated disease management (IDM) strategies perform better result in reducing disease as compared to that of chemical control besides improving yield and growth of treated plants of chilli.