Biochemical estimation and cultivation of Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach on different casing materials and bio-inoculant Pseudomonas putida

This study was carried out during 2012-2014 to determine the effect of locally available casing materials with association of bio-inoculant Pseudomonas putida. Six different combinations of casing mixtures were amended for evaluating its effect on yield, biological efficiency, protein and carbohydrate contents of Agaricus bisporus. A mixture of FYM + GLS + Vermi-compost + P. putida gave higher mushroom yield, biological efficiency, protein and carbohydrate content. It gave better yield (1306 g), biological efficiency (28.7%), protein (34.07%) and carbohydrate content (5.07%) respectively when compared with other treatments. In addition, waste tea leaves took minimum period (33.00 days) for initiation of pin head when compared with others. Locally available casing materials along with P. putida incorporated in the casing soil can be an important factor to obtain maximum and assured yield in mushroom cultivation

Incidence of Post-Harvest Fungal Pathogens in Guava and Banana in Allahabad

A survey was conducted to study incidence of pathogens associated with post-harvest losses in fruits in produce from fruit markets of Allahabad. Rhizopus stolonifer (20.76%) was a major post-harvest pathogen isolated from the samples, followed by Pestalotia psidii (18.46%), Alternaria sp. (17.69%), Penicillium expansum (11.53%), Colletotrichum gloesporioides (10.76%), Aspergillus niger (9.23%), Tricothecium sp (8.46%), and Cladosporium sp. (4%) in Guava, and, Fusarium sp. (28.3%) Curvularia (23.39%), Colletotrichum musae (16.6%), Trichothecium sp (11.6), Penicillium (10.8%), Alternaria (5%) and Rhizopus (4%) in banana fruit samples

Evaluation of some plant extracts in management of dry bubble (Verticillium fungicola) disease of white button mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach]

The study was undertaken to determine antifungal potentials of some plant extracts against dry bubble (Verticillium fungicola) disease of white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). Twelve botanicals namely, Allium cepa, A. sativum, Saraca asoca, Aloe vera, Azadirachta indica, Lantana camara, Ocimum sanctum, Solanum lycopersicum (Lycopersicon esculentum), Tagetes erecta, Psidium guajava, Catharanthus roseus and Aparagus racemosus were evaluated in-vitro and in-vivo for their efficacy against both A. bisporus and V. fungicola, causing dry bubble disease of mushroom. The efficacy of botanicals was examined by poison food technique in in-vitro. The percent inhibition produced by botanicals against V. Fungicola recorded in-vitro was; A. cepa (25.87%), A. sativum (24.70%), S. asoca (12.35%), A. vera (22.35%), A. indica (35.11%), L. camara (28.48%), O. sanctum (20.59%), S. lycopersicum (20.34%), T. erecta (14.11%), P. guajava (15.11%), C. roseus (18.11%) and A. racemosus (13.52%). Among these plant extracts, A. indica was found best treatment followed by L. Camara and A. Cepa. Plant extracts showing maximum efficacy against V. fungicola and minimum inhibition against mushroom were further evaluated against V. fungicola infection in mushroom crop room (in-vivo test). In in-vivo test, the polybags which receive A. indica show maximum mean increase in yield (43.46%) over control and exhibited minimum mean disease incidence (27.7%)

Effectiveness of some integrated disease management factors (IDM) on Fusarium wilt infected tomato

The study was conducted to investigate efficacy of Integrated disease management (IDM) viz., solarized soil, Trichoderma harzianum, spent mushroom compost and carbendazim on growth characteristics of infected tomato by Fusarial wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici) under pots conditions in the Bio-net house during 2013-2014. Seven treatments and five replicates were taken up in completed randomized design. Maximum shoot length, fresh and dry shoot weight were noticed in T4 (solarized soil+ Spent mushroom compost+ T. harzianum) 118.10 cm, 67.25 and 42.20 g respectively as compared to T. harzianum or spent mushroom compost that alone treated plants. Maximum root length, fresh and dry root weight were also recorded in T4 (solarized soil+ spent mushroom compost+ T. harzianum) 28.35 cm, 4.65 and 2.55 g respectively. The yield of tomato plants was significantly increased in T6 (tomato plant alone without Fusarium oxysporum) 170.15 g/plant followed by T4 137.52 g/plant as compared with T0- Fusarium oxysporum alone and T1- Solarized soil + Fusarium oxysporum 0.0 g

Efficacy of Selected Bio-Agents and Neem Cake on Cercospora Leaf Spot and Growth of Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.)

Black gram (Vigna mungo L.) is a vital pulse crop globally and one of the most vital pulse in India. It is understood to be affected by many varieties of diseases, Cercospora leaf spot is certainly considered one among them. Cercospora leaf spot due to Cercospora canescens causes much damage to the production of black gram. The neem cake, Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Carbendazim were tested under field conditions during Rabi 2020-2021 for their efficacy against the disease and growth and yield parameters. A survey was conducted during Rabi, 2020-2021 to know the severity of Cercospora leaf spot of black gram in farmer’s fields in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. In-situ (field) experiment was carried out in randomized block design with five treatments and three replications. The highest plant height at 60 DAS (56.96 cm), fresh weight (35.59 gm), dry weight (14.98 gm), number of pods per plant (18.17 pods/plant), yield (7.96 q/ha) and Benefit Cost ratio (1:3.48) showing better result when treated with treatment neem cake @ 0.5 t/ha + Trichoderma viride @ 2.5 kg/ha.  The treatment T1 – neem cake @ 0.5 t/ha + Trichoderma viride @ 2.5 kg/ha significantly decreased the disease intensity at 30, 45 and 60 DAS (10.02%), (12.02%) and (16.42%) respectively. It is concluded that T1 – neem cake @ 0.5 t/ha + Trichoderma viride @ 2.5 kg/ha found superior in all the growth and yield parameters