Antifungal Activity of Botanicals and Biocontrol agents against Sclerotium rolfsii Causing Foot and Root Rot Disease of Lentil

ABSTRACT: Foot and root rot disease caused by Sclerotium rolfsii is a destructive soil borne disease of lentil (Lens culinaris). The present experiment was conducted to determine the inhibitory effect of thirteen plant extracts and two biocontrol agents on in-vitro mycelium growth of S. rolfsii. The experiment was conducted in the Laboratory of Pulse Research Center, RARS, BARI, Ishwardi, Pabna. Seven isolates of S. rolfsii were collected from foot and root rot affected lentil plant. Antifungal activity of thirteen botanicals and two biocontrol agents (T. harziznum and T. viride) was tested against a fast-growing isolate (Sc-38) of the pathogen following poisoned food technique. Among the botanicals only Black cumin inhibited colony growth of S. rolfsii and the colony diameter ranged 0.00, 0.83, 4.27 and 6.00 cm at 3, 6, 9 & 15 days after incubation, respectively. Amendment of PDA with compost and culture filtrate T. harziznum and T. viride remarkably inhibited the colony growth of S. rolfsii compared to control. Efficacy of four treatments of biocontrol agents was better than botanical treatments. Remarkable inhibition was achieved with Tulsi at 3, 6 and 9 DAI compared to control. Botanical extracts (Black cumin and Tulsi) and biocontrol agents (T. harzianum and T. viride) are found effective against the fungus of Sclerotium rolfsii. 

Keywords: Lentil, foot and root rot disease, Sclerotium rolfsii, botanicals, biocontrol agents