Diseases and Management of Crops under Protected Cultivation

(Diseases and Management of Crops under Protected Cultivation)
sheath blight. Foliar sprays with Anvil, Contaf, Opus, Swing and RIL F004 @ 2 ml/l and Tilt @
1 ml/l were found highly effective in controlling sheath blight. Foliar sprays with Neem gold @
20 ml /lit. or Neem azal @ 3ml/lit. was found significantly effective in reducing sheath blight
and increasing grain yield.
‣ Foliar sprays with talc based formulations of the bioagents (Trichoderma harzianum, or
Pseudomonas fluorescence, rice leaf isolates) were found effective in reducing sheath blight
and increasing grain yield. Foliar sprays with the bioagents (T.harzianum) or P. fluorescence)
given 7 days before inoculation with R. solani was highly effective against the disease.
‣ Seed or soil treatment with T. harzianum or P. fluorescence @ 2, 4 or 8 g/kg enhanced root
and shoot growth and fresh and dry weight of rice seedlings.
‣ Seed treatment with fungorene followed by one spray of carbendazim (@ 0.05% at tillering at
diseases appearance) and two sprays of Hinosan @ 0.1% at panicle initiation and 50%
flowering was most effective and economical treatment in reducing the disease intensity and
increasing the yield.
‣ For the first time, true sclerotia were observed in Kumaon and Garhwal regions at an altitude of
900 m above. True sclerotia have a dormancy period of approximately six months. Exposure of
sclerotia to near ultraviolet radiation for an hour breaks the dormancy
and increased germination.
‣ Trichoderma may reduce population of earthworm in vermicomposting
during early days
‣ An repository of >600 isolates of biocontrol agents developed at
Pantnagar & Ranichauri. These isolates are suited for different crops & agro-ecological
conditions.
‣ Isolates of T. virens capable of colonizing sclerotia of Rhizoctonia, Sclerotium and Sclerotinia
isolated for the first time. It may have great potential.
‣ Standard methods developed for testing hyphal and sclerotial colonization.
‣ 16 new technologies related with mass multiplication and formulation of microbial bioagents
developed and are in the process of being patented.
‣ Effect of different physical factors and extracts on the germination of true sclerotia was studied.
Maximum germination was observed at 25 0 C and at pH 6.0, in fluorescent light. Among the
substratum, maximum germination occurred on moist sand. Soil extract was more favourable
than other extracts. The number of stipes and mature head formation was directly correlated
with the size and weight of the sclerotia.
‣ The viability of the 3 propagules namely; conidia, pseudo and true sclerotia stored under
different conditions showed that conidia remain viable from 2-3 months, pseudo- sclerotia from
4-6 months and true sclerotia up to 11 months at room temperature and under field conditions.
True sclerotia buried at different depth (2.5 to 10 cm) in soil germinated well, but scleroita
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