Efficacy of Different Bioagents and Botanicals on Seed Borne Mycoflora of Onion (Allium Cepa L.)

During present investigation it is observed that Biocontrol agents are highly effective for the growth of seedlings of onion as well as for controlling many seed borne pathogens.Whereas Botanical extracts (Azardirachta indica, Ocimum sanctum, Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, Allium cepa, Eucalyptus globulus) can be considered as an ecological approach in which selected fungal antagonist extracts were used against seed borne pathogens.Five seed borne fungi were identified and isolated from the seeds of onion internally and externally (Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium spp., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus) Biological seed treatments provide an alternative to chemical control with additional benefits of induced diseases resistance, ecofriendly nature and sustainable disease management.Onion (Allium cepa L.) seeds are considered susceptible to seed-borne pathogens, causing significant yield losses.The investigation depicts that biocontrol agents and botanical extracts are effective for fungal control, effective seed germination and increased seedling vigour index.Biocontrol agents such as MPKV fungal consortia, Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens + Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens + Trichoderma harzianum were investigated in which MPKV fungal consortia @ 1% conc.was observed as most effective followed by MPKV fungal consortia @0.5% conc.and Pseudomonas fluorescens + Trichoderma harzianum.Whereas in case of botanical extracts, the Allium sativum clove extract was recorded as more effective against seed borne mycoflora followed by Azardirachta indica leaf extracts with remarkable decrease in incidence of fungi, increased seed germination percentage and increased seedling vigour index.