Assessing the
potential of combined Bio control agents (Fungi and Bacteria) and AM fungi for enhancing
turmeric resistance to Pythium aphanidermatum: A pot study with focus on Biometric,
Disease and Enzymatic parameters
Vigneshwaran K., Rajamohan K. and Sivasakthivelan P.
International Journal of Agricultural Sciences and
Veterinary Medicine;
Vol. 12(3); 1-10;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/1203ijasvm01010; (2024)
Abstract
Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is one of the important spice crops grown in India since
time immemorial and has a potential to earn foreign exchange because of its wide
utilization in Ayurvedic industry. Turmeric belongs to the family Zingiberaceae.
Turmeric is the third largest spice produced in the country and it accounts for
about 14 % of total spices produced in India. Though it is well known for its medicinal
value, its cultivation is hindered by several diseases. Among the various diseases,
rhizome rot caused by Pythium sp. is a major problem in all turmeric growing areas
of India. Its damage leads to 90-100% yield loss. The present studies emphasised
on AM fungi (Glomus mossae) and antagonists (Trichoderma asperellum and Bacillus
subtilis) against the rhizome rot of turmeric caused by P. aphanidermatum.
In pot culture experiments, the combined application of T. asperellum RT (10 ml
kg-1) + SA (5 ml kg-1) and B. subtilis RT (10 ml kg-1) + SA (5 ml kg-1) plus G.
mosseae @ SA (20 g pot-1) –(T7) recorded the minimum Rhizome rot incidence and maximum
plant growth promotion of turmeric. The same treatment showed earlier induction
and increased levels of defence enzymes viz. PO, PPO, PAL and β1,3- glucanase.In
field trial, the combined application of T. asperellum RT (10 ml kg-1) + SA (2.
5 lit ha-1) and B. subtilis RT (10 ml kg-1) + SA (2.5 lit ha-1) plus G. mosseae
@ SA (20 kg ha-1)– (T7) reduced rhizome rot incidence to the minimum and increased
the biometrics of turmeric to the maximum.
