Integrated Management of Fusarium Wilt of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) Caused by Fusarium solani

Chilli is an important spice cum vegetable crop from the Solanaceae family grown around the world for its pungent flavor. Fusarium wilt of chilli is one of the most important diseases as it drastically reduces the yield. In the present experiment a total of 4 different botanical extracts and 4 isolates of Trichoderma were evaluated against the growth of wilt pathogen Fusarium solani. Among them neem oil and Tr1 isolate of Trichoderma recorded better results hence they were selected and further studied under pot culture conditions alone in combinations with panchagavya on the incidence of Fusarium wilt of chilli in local variety of chilli Out of 7 different treatments tested, highest germination (93.24%) was recorded from T7. And, highest percent disease inhibition of Fusarium wilt (69.56%) was recorded from T7. On a similar note, plant growth parameters such as improved plant height, dry weight, no. of flowers/ fruits per plant and fruit length were recorded from plants treated with T7. It was clear the IDM strategies perform better in reducing disease as compared to that of chemical control besides improving yield and growth of treated plants.