Evaluation of Fungicides and Biocontrol Agents against Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Pat.) Griffon and Maubl. Inciting Dieback Disease of Mango in Kerala

Mango dieback caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae is a grave disease affecting the fruit quality and quantity. Numerous disease management options are available nowadays, with chemical control being the most efficient option while biopesticides present the most environment-friendly alternative in controlling various crop diseases. With this objective, chemical and biological control of Lasiodiplodia theobromae was assessed in the present study using the three most virulent isolates of the pathogen collected from three different mango varieties and three different districts of Kerala. The in vitro evaluation of fungicides revealed that the fungicides viz., hexaconazole, azoxystrobin, Bordeaux mixture and carbendazim + mancozeb showed 100 per cent inhibition of the virulent pathogen isolates, while difenoconazole had inhibition in the range of 96.10-100 per cent, copper hydroxide in the range 68.14-88.88 per cent and propineb in the range 33.88-79.25 per cent. Among the biocontrol agents, Trichoderma asperellum and plant growth promoting microorganisms caused inhibition in the range 41.88-51.33 per cent and 14.82-48.66 per cent respectively against three virulent isolates of the pathogen while Pseudomonas fluorescens had zero per cent inhibition.

Hima Mariya Dixon*1, Deepa James2, Reshmy Vijayaraghavan1, Gleena Mary C. F.1 and Aswini A2 Click here to download file

Research Article | Published online : 15-Jan-2025