Efficacy of Fungicides and Biocontrol Agents against Sclerotium Rolfsii Causing Foot Rot Disease of Finger Millet, Under In Vitro Conditions

Manu TG, Nagaraja A, Chetan S,

Abstract

Finger millet is one of the important millet crops widely cultivated across India, and more than 60 per cent of its area is concentrated in Karnataka. Although, it is found to be a hardy crop, it is also affected by many diseases, among them foot rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii has been an increasing problem especially in irrigated and heavy rainfall areas. So a total of 14 fungicides and 5 bioagents were screened in-vitro against Sclerotium rolfsii causing foot of ragi. Out of which systemic fungicides, hexaconazole, propiconazole, difenconazole and combi products viz., Avatar, Nativo and Vitavax power were found effective, but the contact fungicide, mancozeb was found to be effective only at higher concentrations. Among the bioagents Trichoderma harzianum (GKVK) isolate was found to be effective than other biogents.