Bioagents Trichoderma and Pseudomonas Shows Promising Results against Isolates of Sugarcane Pathogen Colletotrichum falcatum from Punjab Region

Background: Red rot causing fungus Colletotrichum falcatum is most destructive and severe pathogen of sugarcane. Genetic makeup of this pathogen C. falcatum changes continuously and management of this disease is difficult by fungicides. Biological control offers fair opportunity to manage the yield loss caused by this pathogen. Aim of this research was to study the pathogenic behavior of Colletotrichum falcatum isolates in Punjab region and also to evaluate the potential of the biocontrol agents against the Colletotrichum falcatum. Methods: Pathogen isolates were collected from sugarcane mill areas of Punjab during survey and their pathogenic behaviour on fourteen sugarcane differentials was also studied against C. falcatum. Further efficacy of biocontrol agents were studied against red rot pathogen in both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Result: CF02 pathotype showed higher virulence on sugarcane differentials and pathotype CF01 showed less virulence. Four sugarcane differentials, Baragua, BO91, COS8436, SES594 were found resistant to all the pathotypes or isolates. Studies revealed that all the antagonists inhibited or suppressed the mycelial growth of Colletotrichum falcatum out of that Pseudomonas flourescens found to be more efficient by showing the inhibition control of 68.18% in vitro conditions. Trichoderma viride was found to be highly effective in vivo conditions, by controlling the red rot disease up to 32.2%. Overall present study shows management of plant pathogens through biological control is a promising and sustainable measure for necrotrophic pathogen like C. falcatum in current scenario.