Biotech Studies 2022, Vol 31, Num, 2     (Pages: 071-078)

Appraisal of fungi leaf spots of groundnut (Arachis hypogea) and control of Cylindrocladium blight disease using biocontrol, botanical, and chemical measures

Elias Mjaika Ndifon 1

1 Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, PMB 1010, Abakaliki/Ebonyi State, Nigeria DOI : 10.38042/biotechstudies.1190215 - Groundnut is infected by 55 pathogens which adversely contribute to the low yield of groundnuts. Three sub-trials were conceived to proffer solutions to groundnut Cylindrocladium parasiticum disease. These sub-trials (using biocontrol, synthetic and botanical measures) were set up in vitro using completely randomized design with each treatment replicated thrice. Firstly, all biocontrol (Trichoderma) isolates showed a steady linear increase in the inhibition of the growth of the pathogen. There was no significant difference (P≤0.05) between the isolates of Trichoderma harzianum at 96 h after inoculation (HAI). Secondly, the synthetic pesticide Mancozeb® 100% significantly inhibited the pathogen more than all other synthetic chemical treatments, followed by Mancozeb 50%, Tandem® 100% and Tandem 50% (which were at par (at 144 HAI)). Thirdly, the botanical Parkia sp. 100% was significantly superior to other botanicals (192 HAI results). Likewise, Casuarina sp. 100% and Parkia sp. 50% were at par but performed better than other treatments except for Parkia sp. 100%. Inhibition by Casuarina sp. 50% was at par with Parkia sp. 50% but it was significantly superior to other treatments (except for Parkia sp. 100%, Casuarina sp. 100%, and Parkia sp. 50%). Finally, all trials showed that Mancozeb 100% performed better than other treatments. Keywords : Peanuts Management Trichoderma Plant extracts