Management of Gladiolus Corm Rot and Yellows

Abstract

Gladiolus is an important floriculture crop in India, which suffers from an important disease caused by <i>Fusarium oxysporum </i>f.sp. <i>gladioli </i>causing corm rot and yellows symptoms. The losses by this disease are up to the extent of<i> </i>80-100%. Attempts were made for the management of the disease. <i>In vitro </i>essential oils of Mentha ,Neem ,Tagetes,<i> </i>and Lemon grass , fungicides (Carbendazim,Vitavax,Chlorothalonil,Captan and Topsin M) and biocontrol<i> </i>agents(different strains) of <i>Trichoderma harzianum </i>and <i>T.virens </i>were tested. The effective concentrations of<i> </i>different successful fungicides and biocontrol agent in combination with the compatible fungicide were tested in<i> </i>field for three growing seasons. It was found that Chlorothalonil and Bavistin were best in terms of management of<i> </i>disease, germination of bulbs, length of plants/spike and number of flowers per spike. <i>Trichoderma harzianum </i>(MTCC3843) was quite effective in the management. However, the same in combination with Chlorothalonil was<i> </i>more effective for the management of the disease.