Biocontrol Effect of Gliocladium virens Gl and Soil Amendment on Astragal Stem Rot Caused by Rhizoctonia solani

Abstract

In order to find an environment-friendly method to suppress astragal stem rot caused by the isolates of Rhizoctonia solani AG 1 and AG 4, we tested an antagonistic fungus Gliocladium virens Gl was evaluated as a biocontrol agent and estimated inorganic compounds and organic materials were tested for their effect of the disease suppression. G. virens Gl effectively inhibited mycelial growth in a dual culture and caused mycelial lysis in the culture filtrate. No adverse effect was observed when examined for seed germination and seedling growth. Promoted seedling growth was observed with the seed treatment. Seeds of astragal plant were germinated higher in the sterile soil than the natural soil. Of 14 inorganics tested, alum, aluminum sulfate and calcium oxide significantly suppressed the mycelial growth and sclerotial germination. Milled pine bark and oak sawdust also suppressed the mycelial growth. Soil amended with 1% of G. virens Gl composted with pine bark (w/v) significantly controlled astragal stem rot in the glasshouse experiments.

Keywords::

• Astragal stem rot
• Biological control
• Rhizoctonia solani
• Soil amendment