Efficacy of Bioagents, Plant extracts and chemical fungicides against root rot disease in Zea mays caused by Sclerotium rolfsii

Zea mays is a nutritional crop and heavy source of carbohydrate. The root rot disease in Zea mays caused by Sclerotium rolfsii. This study was evaluated for management of S. rolfsii due to it is more dangerous soil borne fungus. It was controlled by two antagonists, two metabolites of bioagents, two chemical fungicides and three plants extracts at different concentration using poisoned food technique. Histopathological study the root rot disease infected part of plant cut section to show with SEM. The T.S. of root and stem was observed by SEM image showed the mycelia of S. rolfsii was scattered in root and stem of infected Zea mays plant. The culture filtrate of Penicillium citrinum and P. italicum was inhibited by 100% growth of S. rolfsii at 75% concentration. Carbendazim was more effective compared to conika at different concentration. In vitro efficacy, the extracts of plants viz. Azadirachta indica, Syzygium aromaticum, Trachyspermum ammi having antifungal activity and checked mycelial expansion of S. rolfsii under in vitro condition. Syzygium aromaticum and Trachyspermum ammi were inhibited by 100% at 400 ppm and 50% concentration respectively. The extract of medicinal plants Syzygium aromaticum and
Trachyspermum ammi were most significantly effective compared to A. indica on 3rd day. Amongst all treatments were significantly and ecofriendly effective against mycelial expansion of S. rolfsii under in vitro study.

Keywords – Bioagents, Chemical fungicides, Plant extracts, Sclerotium rolfsii, SEM, Zea mays.