In vitro bioefficacy of fungicides against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri causing chickpea wilt

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) holds significant importance as a pulse crop cultivated throughout India. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri, the causal agent of chickpea wilt, stands as a major affliction in northern Karnataka. This disease is transmitted via soil and seeds, with abundant pathogenic presence in the soil coupled with favourable environmental conditions leading to plant fatality and subsequent yield depreciation. An experiment was carried out to identify effective fungicides for managing chickpea wilt. Five combinations of fungicides andfive systemic fungicides were tested against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri under laboratory conditions, employing three concentrations for each. Systemic fungicides, specifically carbendazim 50% WP, displayed significant hindrance of mycelial growth, registering 83.61%. Among the combination fungicides, carbendazim 25% + mancozeb 50% demonstrated remarkable complete inhibition of mycelial growth.