Management of wilt disease in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) using IDM modules

Wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum is a serious soil-borne disease of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) that causes major yield losses, particularly under continuous cultivation. A survey conducted in the Coimbatore region during 2024–2025 revealed wide variation in wilt incidence across locations, ranging from 4.70 to 80.13%. Four integrated disease management (IDM) modules were evaluated under field conditions during 2025 and 2026. Among them, Module 2, comprising soil application and seed treatment with a Trichoderma asperellum + Bacillus subtilis consortium and soil drenching with B. subtilis along with clove oil EC formulation (0.1%), recorded the lowest wilt incidence and the highest yield in both years. In 2025, Module 2 recorded 7.72% wilt incidence at 75 days after sowing (DAS), a yield of 9.00 t/ha and a B:C ratio of 2.92; and in 2026 the corresponding values were 15.40%, 9.32 t/ha and 2.95. Pooled analysis confirmed Module 2 as the best treatment (11.60% wilt incidence, 9.20 t/ha yield and B:C ratio of 2.90) compared with 47.30% wilt incidence and 5.90 t/ha yield in the untreated control. The study showed that a bio-intensive IDM module can manage cucumber wilt effectively under field conditions and is an eco-friendlier alternative to sole dependence on chemicals.