Evaluation of Antagonists and their Efficacy in Managing Rot Diseases of Small Cardamom

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Authors

  • Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Myladumpara, Kailasanad - 685553 ,IN
  • Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Myladumpara, Kailasanad - 685553 ,IN
  • Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Myladumpara, Kailasanad - 685553 ,IN
  • Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Myladumpara, Kailasanad - 685553 ,IN

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18311/jbc/1993/15157

Keywords:

Cardamom, Trichoderma, Azhukal Disease, Laetisatia, Phytophthora, Antagonist.

Abstract

The small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) is severely affected by 'Azhukal' (capsule rot) and rhizome rot diseases caused by Phytophthora meadii McRae, Pythium vexans de Bary and Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn respectively. In an attempt to control these diseases through non-chemical methods, antagonistic fungi and bacteria were tested as bio-control agents against these rot pathogens. The common antagonists such as Trichoderma viride Pers.fr, T. harsianum Rifai, Laetisaria arvalis Burdsall and Bacillus subtilis (Ehrenburg Cohn) were tested under in vitro, pot culture and field conditions to evaluate their efficacy in suppressing the pathogens and minimising disease incidence. All the antagonists tested in vitro interacted with the pathogens by growth inhibition, anastamoses and hyphal lysis. Pot culture studies on the effect of these antagonists on pathogens showed varying degrees of disease reduction. Application of antagonists in Phytophthora-sick soils reduced soil disease potential index and percentage disease incidence. The potentiality or these biocontrol agents in monitoring rot diseases of small cardamom is discussed in this paper.