Journal of Plant Pathology & Microbiology

Evaluation of Chemical Management against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri Isolated from Local Fields of Saikheda Region, M.P Using Some Fungicide Formulations

Shubhank Dixit¹, Pushpanjali Dhok^2*, Ashutosh Rajoriya² and Dhruv Kadu^{1 1}Department of Agricultural Sciences, GH Raisoni University, Madhya Pradesh, India
²Department of Plant Pathology and Agricultural Microbiology, GH Raisoni University, Madhya Pradesh, India
^*Correspondence: Pushpanjali Dhok, Department of Plant Pathology and Agricultural Microbiology, GH Raisoni University, Madhya Pradesh, India, Email:

Received: 02-May-2024, Manuscript No. JPPM-24-25596; Editor assigned: 06-May-2024, Pre QC No. JPPM-24-25596 (PQ); Reviewed: 20-May-2024, QC No. JPPM-24-25596; Revised: 02-May-2025, Manuscript No. JPPM-24-25596 (R); Published: 09-May-2025, DOI: 10.35248/2157-7471.25.16.752

Introduction

Fusarium wilt, caused by Foc, poses a significant threat to chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivation worldwide, resulting in substantial yield losses and economic repercussions. This soilborne pathogen infiltrates the plant's vascular system, inducing symptoms such as vascular wilt and stunted growth, ultimately undermining agricultural sustainability and food security in affected regions [1].

Given the challenges associated with developing resistant cultivars and implementing sustainable cultural practices, chemical management remains a pivotal approach for controlling Fusarium wilt. However, the emergence of fungicide resistance and environmental concerns necessitate ongoing exploration of novel fungicides and formulations to effectively combat this pathogen. In this regard, in-vitro studies serve as indispensable tools for screening and assessing the efficacy of various fungicides against Foc [2].

This study endeavors to evaluate the effectiveness of a diverse array of systemic and contact fungicides in mitigating Fusarium wilt caused by Foc in chickpea. Employing a dual culture technique, the antagonistic potential of these fungicides against the pathogen will be rigorously assessed, offering valuable insights into their efficacy and suitability for integration into disease management protocols [3].

A comprehensive understanding of the efficacy of these fungicides is imperative for devising sustainable and integrated management strategies aimed at minimizing yield losses and safeguarding the economic viability of chickpea cultivation. Furthermore, elucidating the performance of these fungicides in vitro lays the groundwork for subsequent field evaluations, facilitating the development of tailored disease management approaches to effectively combat Fusarium wilt [4].

Materials and Methods

Antifungal activity evaluation of fungicides against Foc under in vitro conditions

Six contact and five systemic fungicides were assessed in vitro against Foc using the poisoned food technique, as described by Nene and Thapliyal. Both the systemic and contact fungicides were tested at a concentration of 1000 ppm. The radial mycelial growth of Foc was observed at 24-hour intervals until untreated control plates were completely covered with mycelial growth. The percentage of mycelial growth inhibition of the pathogen by the test fungicides compared to the untreated control was calculated using the formula provided (Tables 1 and 2) [5].

I=(C-T)/C × 100

Where,

I=Percent inhibition

C=Radial growth of test fungus in control plate

T=Radial growth of test fungus in treated plate

Table 1: List of contact fungicide.

Table 2: List of systemic fungicide.

Results and Discussion

Evaluation of fungicides against Foc associated with wilt of chickpea contact fungicide

Six contact fungicides Zineb, Propineb, Chlorothalonil, Captan, Mancozeb and copper oxychloride-were evaluated against foc at a concentration of 1000 ppm.

Radial mycelial growth inhibition: The radial mycelial growth of Foc ranged from 19.2 mm to 52.10 mm compared to the control with a radial mycelial growth of 74 mm. Among the evaluated fungicides, Captan exhibited the least radial mycelial growth of 19.2 mm, followed by Mancozeb with 21.64 mm, Propineb with 22.95 mm, Zineb with 24.12 mm, Chlorothalonil with 28.97 mm and Copper oxychloride with 52.10 mm (Table 3 and Figures 1 and 2) [6-8].

Figure 1: Radial mycelial growth inhibition.

Table 3: In-vitro efficacy of contact fungicides against Foc.

Figure 2: In-vitro efficacy of contact fungicide against Foc.

Percentage inhibition of fungal growth: The percentage inhibition of fungal growth varied among the evaluated fungicides. Captan exhibited the highest inhibition percentage at approximately 74.05%, followed by Mancozeb with around 70.70%, Propineb with about 69.00%, Zineb with roughly 67.40%, Chlorothalonil with approximately 60.94% and Copper oxychloride with around 29.73%. These results indicate varying degrees of effectiveness in inhibiting the radial mycelial growth of Foc [9].

Systemic fungicide: Five systemic fungicides-Hexaconazole, Carbendazim, Propiconazole, Tebuconazole and Kresoxim methyl-were evaluated against Foc at a concentration of 1000 ppm [10,11].

Radial mycelial growth inhibition: The radial mycelial growth of Foc was found least in Carbendazim (0 mm) and Tebuconazole (0 mm), followed by Propiconazole (8 mm), Hexaconazole (11 mm) and Kresoxim methyl (23 mm) (Table 4 and Figures 3 and 4) [12-14].

Figure 3: Radial mycelial growth inhibition.

Table 4: In-vitro efficacy of systemic fungicides against Foc.

Figure 4: In-vitro efficacy of systemic fungicide against Foc.

Inhibition of radial mycelial growth

In assessing the efficacy of systemic fungicides against Foc, the percentage inhibition of fungal growth was determined based on radial mycelial growth measurements. Among the fungicides tested, Hexaconazole exhibited a significant inhibition of fungal growth, with a percentage inhibition of approximately 85.13%. Carbendazim, conversely, demonstrated complete inhibition of fungal growth, achieving a percentage inhibition of 100%. Propiconazole also displayed substantial inhibition, with approximately 89.18% inhibition of fungal growth. Tebuconazole, similar to Carbendazim, exhibited complete inhibition of fungal growth, achieving a percentage inhibition of 100%. Kresoxim methyl, while effective, demonstrated a moderate inhibition of fungal growth, with a percentage inhibition of approximately 68.91%. These findings underscore the varying degrees of effectiveness among the systemic fungicides tested, highlighting Carbendazim and Tebuconazole's complete inhibition and Hexaconazole and Propiconazole's substantial inhibitory activity against Foc [15-20].

Conclusion

The assessment of contact and systemic fungicides against Foc revealed distinct patterns of inhibition in radial mycelial growth, offering valuable insights into their efficacy in combating this pathogen. Among the contact fungicides, Captan emerged as the most effective in inhibiting fungal growth, followed by Mancozeb, Propineb, Zineb, Chlorothalonil and Copper oxychloride, each exhibiting varying degrees of effectiveness.

Notably, Captan demonstrated the highest inhibition percentage, indicating its potent antifungal activity against Foc.

In contrast, systemic fungicides displayed diverse efficacy profiles, with Carbendazim and Tebuconazole showcasing complete inhibition of fungal growth, followed by Propiconazole, Hexaconazole and Kresoxim methyl. Carbendazim particularly stood out for its comprehensive inhibition, while Hexaconazole and Propiconazole also demonstrated significant inhibitory activity. These results underscore the importance of selecting suitable fungicides tailored to the specific pathogen and understanding their mode of action for effective disease management strategies.

In conclusion, our in vitro study highlights carbendazim as the most effective fungicide against Foc among the tested options. This research provides valuable guidance for selecting and utilizing fungicides to combat Fusarium wilt caused by Foc, contributing to the development of sustainable and effective disease control strategies in chickpea cultivation. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in field conditions and to explore integrated disease management approaches aimed at reducing crop losses and ensuring food security.

Conflict of Interest

The authors of present work puts no conflict of interest as the research work is performed in the centralized level in the university itself without any interference of second party/ institute.

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