Biological Suppression of Sclerotium rolfsii in Groundnut Cultivation: A Path Towards Sustainable Disease Management

Stem rot of groundnut caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc, is a major soil borne disease which impact on groundnut cultivation both in India and globally. The primary objective of this study was to assess the antagonistic potential of biocontrol agents against the pathogen, both individually and in combination, under In vitro and glasshouse conditions. The results of the present investigation indicated that the application of microbial consortia was more effective against Sclerotium rolfsii than individual bioagents. Specifically, seed treatment with microbial consortia MC1, MC2, MC3, and MC4 resulted in lower disease incidence with 13.80%, 16.01%, 20.0%, and 22.60% respectively, compared to the pathogen check, which had a 74.12% PDI. Additionally, these treatments also enhanced plant growth through improved plant growth-promoting traits under glasshouse conditions.