In vitro Suppression of Fusarium spp. Infecting Major Crops

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of six fungicides against three Fusarium spp. affecting different crops viz., Fusarium verticillioides (maize), F. udum (redgram) and F. oxysporumf.sp. ciceris (chickpea)under in vitro conditions using poisoned food technique. Study Design: Completely randomized in vitro laboratory experiment. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University conducted during 2023-24. Methodology: A total of six fungicides viz., Captan 50 WP, Thiram 75% DS, Tebuconazole 5.36% FS, Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% DS, Prochloraz 24.4% + Tebuconazole 12.1% EW and Thiphanate Methyl 450 g/l + Pyraclostrobin 50 g/l were evaluated at six different concentrations (100, 250, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 µg/mL) against three selected Fusarium species isolated from maize, red gram and chickpea using the poisoned food technique. Mycelial growth inhibition was assessed after incubation. Results: Among the tested fungicides, Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% DSand Prochloraz 24.4% + Tebuconazole 12.1% EWwere the most effective across all Fusarium spp., with mycelia inhibition percentages ranging from 72.4% to 91.6% at higher concentrations. Captan 50 WP and Thiram 75% DS were the least effective with lowest inhibition percentages ranging between 28.6% and 47.3%. Further, the percent inhibition of mycelia growth was increased with increase in the concentration of fungicides. Conclusion: Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% DS and Prochloraz 24.4% + Tebuconazole 12.1% EW formulations (250 to 2000 µg/mL) are promising and may be recommended as seed treatment options for effective management of Fusarium wilt diseases in maize, red gram and chickpea. Field-level validation is necessary to confirm their effectiveness under field-conditions.